L'Ascension

Olivier Messiaen - L'Ascension

released on LP

Charles Krigbaum - organ (Newberry Memorial Organ, Woolsey Hall, Yale University)

Among twentieth century compositions for organ the works of Olivier Messiaen must surely stand as authentic masterpieces. On first encounter they may seem curiously eclectic in their dazzling reflections of traditional and exotic ingredients: Dukas, Dupre, Debussy, Hindu rhythms, bird calls, Roman Catholicism, pantheism, mysticism, reverberent cathedrals, Cavaille-Coll and the French Romantic Organ - to name a few. However, out of these unusual and disparate elements Messiaen has fused an individual and elegant style that is sensuous, colorful, contemporary, and surprisingly coherent. He has done this with creative brilliance and unsurpassed richness of imagination.
The works themselves fall conveniently into three periods: early, middle, and late. The early period, essentially experimental in nature, includes
Le Banquet Celeste
Diptyque
Apparition de l'Eglise Eternelle
L'Ascension (four pieces)
The middle period, in which specific compositional techniques are systematically employed (cf. Technique de mon Langage Musical, Paris 1944), includes
La Nativite du Seigneur (nine pieces)
Les Corps Glorieux (seven pieces)
The late period, in which is evidenced a more extensive use of complex and exotic elements, includes
Messe de la Pentecote (five pieces)
Livre d'Orgue (seven pieces)
Verset
Meditation sur le Mystere de la Sainte Trinite

Le Banquet Celeste - This famous communion piece (1926) is an original evocation of ineffable mystery and reverence. The original version in 3/4 time was marked extremement lent. In a second version, the composer rescored the piece, doubling the note values and indicating "Tres lent, extatique".

Apparition de l'Eglise eternelle - An apocalyptic vision of the eternal church, utilizing parallelism, open fifths, and rhythmic ostinato figures. Stark, essentially static, and improvisatory in nature, it achieves a powerful effect through insistent repetition, hypnotic in nature, and through an extraordinary crescendo from pp to fff climaxing on a high-position, full C major chord with doubled pedal, followed by a gradual diminuendo to a pp ending on a low-position, open fifth C chord.

L'Ascension contains four symphonic meditations, each inspired by a passage from scripture or the service.
I Majeste du Christ demandant sa gloire a son Pere (Majesty of Christ praying that His Father should glorify Him) - a slow and majestic piece exploiting the prepared reeds on the Great and Positive divisions.
II Alleluias sereins d'une ame qui desire le ciel (Serene Alleluias from a soul longing for Heaven) - an impressionistic and tender expression of celestial serenity and happiness.
III Transports de joie d'une ame devant la gloire du Christ qui est la sienne (Outburst of joy from a soul before the Glory of Christ which is its own glory) - a tumultuous outpouring of Christian joy.
IV Priere du Christ montant vers son Pere (Prayer from Christ ascending towards His Father) - a moving and solemn expression of divinity. (from the liner notes)

Tracklisting:

Side One

1. Apparition de l'Eglise Eternelle {9:00}

2. Le Banquet Celeste {7:16}

Side Two

1. L'Ascension: I. Majeste du Christ demandant sa gloire a son Pere {5:51}

2. L'Ascension: II. Alleluias sereins d'une ame qui desire le ciel {6:33}

3. L'Ascension: III. Transports de joie d'une ame devant la gloire du Christ qui est la sienne {4:54}

4. L'Ascension: IV. Priere du Christ montant vers son Pere {5:44}

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