Composer

:

Olivier Messiaen

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1944

Average_duration

:

122:40

Movement_count

:

20

Movement ....

"Regards (20) sur l'enfant Jésus, I/27" is a piano cycle composed by Olivier Messiaen in 1944. The piece was premiered in Paris in 1945 by Yvonne Loriod, who later became Messiaen's wife. The cycle consists of twenty movements, each of which is a musical meditation on a different aspect of the birth of Jesus Christ. The first movement, "Regard du Père," is a contemplation of God the Father and his role in the birth of Jesus. The second movement, "Regard de l'étoile," is a musical depiction of the star that guided the wise men to Bethlehem. The third movement, "L'échange," is a dialogue between the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus. The fourth movement, "Regard de la Vierge," is a meditation on the Virgin Mary and her role in the birth of Jesus. The fifth movement, "Regard du Fils sur le Fils," is a reflection on Jesus' own self-awareness as the Son of God. The sixth movement, "Par Lui tout a été fait," is a celebration of Jesus as the creator of the universe. The seventh movement, "Regard de la Croix," is a meditation on the crucifixion of Jesus. The eighth movement, "Regard des hauteurs," is a musical depiction of the heights of heaven. The ninth movement, "Regard du temps," is a reflection on the passage of time and the eternal nature of God. The tenth movement, "Regard de l'Esprit de joie," is a celebration of the Holy Spirit and its role in the birth of Jesus. The eleventh movement, "Première communion de la Vierge," is a musical depiction of Mary's first communion. The twelfth movement, "La parole toute-puissante," is a celebration of the power of God's word. The thirteenth movement, "Noël," is a musical depiction of the Christmas season. The fourteenth movement, "Regard des Anges," is a meditation on the role of angels in the birth of Jesus. The fifteenth movement, "Le baiser de l'Enfant-Jésus," is a musical depiction of the kiss of the infant Jesus. The sixteenth movement, "Regard des prophètes, des bergers et des Mages," is a reflection on the various figures who played a role in the birth of Jesus. The seventeenth movement, "Je dors, mais mon cœur veille," is a musical depiction of the sleep of the infant Jesus. The eighteenth movement, "Regard de l'Onction terrible," is a meditation on the anointing of Jesus. The nineteenth movement, "Je vois des anges," is a musical depiction of the vision of angels. The final movement, "Regard du silence," is a meditation on the silence that followed the birth of Jesus. Overall, "Regards (20) sur l'enfant Jésus, I/27" is a deeply spiritual and meditative work that reflects Messiaen's Catholic faith. The cycle is characterized by its use of complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and vivid musical imagery.

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