Matthew Odell to perform at Messiaen celebration
Locally, the commemoration of Olivier Messiaen's centennial has been marked most substantially so far by organist Jonathan Moyer, whose survey of the complete organ works finished up Nov. 23 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. This weekend, thanks to the ever-busy An die Musik, the celebration continues with Matthew Odell, who will give a complete performance of Messiaen's massive piano work Vingt regards sur l'Enfant Jesus (Twenty Views of the Child Jesus).
This 1945 score, which lasts about two hours, is a stunning example of the composer's creative imagination, with a brilliant richness and breadth of harmonic and melodic activity, not to mention pianistic color. And, of course, like so many of Messiaen's works, the music reflects his intense personal faith.
Odell will perform Vingt regards at 3 p.m. Sunday at An die Musik, 409 N. Charles St. Tickets are $8 to $15. There will be a post-concert wine reception. For a sample of this extraordinary music, see the video clip below of pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard:
