Messiaen - L'Ascension, for solo organ

organ: Olivier Latry

[@FABCELLI]

The best way to listen to Messiaen and Others is in bed, in a completely dark room, when somebody is tired but not so much to fall asleep. It occurred to me some years ago: i was in bed and I fell asleep with earphones and cellphone on a radio station of so-called classical music . In the late night a Holy, Mystycal organ music made me arise: it was Messiaen! WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE! believe me..

[@thomasgunther18]

Awakening is , what we have to hear:Wachet auf!Dass die Musik aus der Tiefe des Nächtigens herkam , erwies, dass wir wach werden sollen.Sleep: And be awaken!

[@thomasgunther18]

Also immer in der Tiefe gewesen sein.Das heißt: Die Tiefe gelange zum Urgrund allen Seins im mystischen Sinne.Wer war dorten noch nie gerne?Ein Licht leuchtet auf in der Finsternis-ein leuchtendes Licht.Sei:Der Herr erweckt zu neuem Leben und Sein.Atonale Musik ist gewöhnungsbedürftig: Wer sie lieben lernte, bleibt dabei.Servus Allen!

[@RanBlakePiano]

fabrizio celli I could not agree with mor e . D his wtth Mingus ,t. Monk ,Bartok

[@karlsnover1021]

Sandra and Jeroen Van Veen seem to agree

[@holgerkuhmann5328]

I listened to Messiaens Organ Work in former times with headphones and a bottel of red wine, and a little time later with pink elephants

[@Vecio.Nandes]

Messiaen is really a man with intense and deep spiritual perception. His faith guided him to write what is heard in Paradise... Jesus Christ!!! ... This music really could be the sound track to His victorious ascension to Glory

[@simonwilkins2341]

On both a musical and spiritual level, the last chord of this piece is surely one of the great moments in twentieth-century music. As well as the stops closing and the resulting overtones being arranged differently throughout the diminuendo, it lasts so long that the ear actually starts to perceive it as something else.

[@andre26071955]

And he played the whole piece from memory! My deepest respect for this phenomenal artist!

[@russedav5]

+André Welten He is indeed. Incredible.

[@Highinsight7]

@@russedav5 was this during "proms"... they always do the COOLEST stuff during "proms"... THIS being no exception... YUP... Latry is WAY up there!

[@CliveDBeasley]

@@Highinsight7 Yes. It was 10 years ago. He played again this year. A programme of Transcriptions and Improvisation. 2 hours from memory. Incredible.

[@Highinsight7]

@@CliveDBeasley WOW... he really is off the top WONDERFUL! in every way!!!

[@waterkingdavid]

Is this Benjamin Righetti playing?

[@MegaCirse]

Sur un plan à la fois musical et spirituel, le dernier accord de cette pièce est sûrement l'un des monumentals moments de la musique du XXe siècle. Outre les arrêts de clôture et les harmoniques qui en résultent, étant disposés différemment à travers le diminuendo, elle dure aussi longtemps que l'oreille commence réellement à la percevoir comme "quelque chose d'autre". La musique de cette trempe nous plonge dans un autre univers, infiniment plus délicieux et serein que celui dans lequel nous vivons !

[@simuloremus]

hors du temps et de l'espace au plus profond de notre âme nous trouvons la paix

[@JBNemeth]

Long time not hearing this .... Wow, magical to remember and be reminded of its haunting quality. Thank goodness for KZbin!

[@UKfreedivingman]

Of all the Messaien compositions I "feel" this most of all. Its so pure. I get goosebumps each time I listen to it - even more if its live in a large concert hall or Cathedral/Abbey/Church. I was at the Proms at this performance. Sublime.

[@killboybands1]

Holy shit...that was exactly what I was thinking...this is without a shadow of a doubt...pure.

[@crazyorganist1609]

I feel Nativite myself

[@johnstag1391]

Could listen to this all day and night.

[@charlottewhyte9804]

+John Stag me too

[@RanBlakePiano]

Tout

[@elijahfry]

sublime moments of dissonance & resolution throughout. thank you for posting!

[@isaacm1409]

H & V

[@isaacm1409]

H & V hhhuu

[@vleermuisje2]

Olivier Messiaen was/is een zeer groot componist. Zijn veelal mystieke werken zijn doordrenkt door het absolute geloof in GOD. Wat had ik deze man graag ontmoet toen hij nog in zijn stoffelijke bestaan onder ons was. Nu zal ik hem - in wat voor vorm of wijze dan ook - ontmoeten na mijn aardse bestaan. En zal ik zijn zeer diepgaande muziek dan voor altijd kunnen horen. Tot die tijd is het genieten van opnames zoals deze van Olivier Latry. Geweldig!

[@maxcohen13]

The organ's nick name is the KING of instruments. No wonder why after hearing this.

[@MegaCirse]

Despite its stylistic diversity, Messiaen was above all a composer of expressionist aesthetics, always close to drama, depth, anguish and the deep and tormented vision of life that seems to emanate from the metaphysics of man as of his very deep nature🔥🕊

[@richardsedding8444]

Superb playing, great registration too. Merci M Latry.

[@vitoroliveirajorge368]

Messiaen is a genius.

[@andrewlarson603]

This is a great piece.....if you think Messiaen is a genius check out L’Orgue Mystique by Charles Tournemire......the composer who greatly influenced Messiaen. That colossal collection of music is some of the greatest ever written!!! I dearly love both composers!!

[@OdedFriedGaon]

So hauntingly beautiful... like slow climb, up a looooong and taaaaall ladder, straight up toward the heavens. and getting there. :)

[@redschonewille]

Or was it Led Zeppelin

[@michaelmoore650]

@@redschonewille led zeppelin or messiaen? That's a tough one. Love them both.

[@patricedelville1489]

un des meilleurs organiste au monde .En plus il joue tout par coeur (c'est une musique compliquée!) vraiment un grand instant de bonheur!

[@januarijanuari9801]

Великая музыка - прекрасное исполнение!!!!

[@jeffroidius]

I bought this on vinyl 40 years ago. Its nice seeing it played at the keyboard. I need to get my phonograph working again and listen to it again. Such a brilliant composer.

[@gillesvaneeden3313]

Jeffrey Meyer mr latry recorded all organ works of messiaen on cd, highly recommended

[@vlassisnikas7634]

Amazing!Olivier Messiaen is great composer.

[@ivayloavramov4448]

Far, this music will be waiting for us when we will not be in this world anymore.

[@guilhemmariotte]

very mystic and beautiful piece! I totally agree with Philippe Cirse about the last chord, at this point it seems the music has already reached some ecstatic place... Last time I got this feeling was with the ending of the cello concerto no 1 of Schnittke.

[@hootinouts]

I listen to and enjoy a wide range of music of many genres and there is nothing as unique as this piece.

[@mftech1607]

Nobody plays Messiaen like Latry!! He is the master playing the masters music!!!

[@MegaCirse]

Pierre Cochereau fut aussi dans les années 60 un admirable interprète de cette musique céleste inspirée du divin ... Par ailleurs, cette musique sublime montre que même dans un égout mental comme le catholicisme, des plantes magnifiques peuvent fleurir !

[@FABCELLI]

i'm glad that sometimes in history God phones Somebody to suggest him some Music for Himself and for Mankind in order to let us taste His Mind. This happened to Bach. I'm not fond of Strong Music (i prefer to call it so rather than calling it 'classical music') but i'm sure that if Bach lived in XIX century, he should have agreed Messiaen' s revolutionary choice. That is to say: I think Messiaen as an evolution of Bach.

[@photo3642u]

Wonderful, a maestro at the keyboard, who together with the sound he's producing is transporting us...

[@ymperialglasty]

Straight to the sky.

[@loosetea]

Tthe most difficult instrument on which to imprint a personal interpretive impression is the organ. One is so far removed from the actual source of the sound: keyboard, trackers or electronic devices, flow of air, then finally, the pipes themselves that emit the sound. Control of sound is far removed from the touch on the keyboard. Hence this difficult of imbuing a personal imprint. But Olivier Latry overcomes this with certain, secure aplomb. His playing is deeply personal and heart-rending.

[@Highinsight7]

He's magic!

[@WillemdeKooning1]

I love the works of Messiaen and this one of my favorite pieces by him. Thanks for uploading this!

[@marcdhoore3388]

Unbelievible music. I will play the slow movement in my church before the Eastern mass Marc D'Hoore.

[@WeeGrahamsaccount]

wonderful performance of an astounding work

[@MrAcusticologia]

Obrigado por meter aqui a minha rubrica do FB. Obrigado! Sempre ouvi orgão todos os Domingos... há mais de 30 anos! Abraço do Vítor Rua

[@ringeradam4575]

The first part was played last night in St George's Church Belfast, unfortunately I had to leave early to catch the train! What a shame because this is phenomenal

[@petermihailov2869]

колоссальная ,изумительная, нечеловеческая музыка!!!

[@123must]

Beautiful ! Thanks a lot

[@michaelmoore650]

Spiritual and other worldly. I admire his ecstatic vision. My favourite work by him is illuminations of the beyond. I would love to hear that played on the organ.

[@jackbarnard1781]

Messiaen never fails to entertain. His body of work is very wide. One of my favorites right now. I'd like to hear this work on my stereo system. On sacd the pipe organ would rattle the windows. 😆 lol

[@ferashaki7528]

How great.

[@robcmstephens]

Superb..... the end drifting away..

[@frankkusel4768]

Wonderful piece!

[@Highinsight7]

One of his BEST organ works! of many!

[@shirtale]

Why are we not able to see the organist in full? Imagine the conductor standing directly in front of the piano soloist for a concerto. A prestigious performance as this is, the BBC and the Albert Hall officials could not bring themselves to remove the barrier behind the player. Using the excuse that they could not remove the bust of Sir Henry, present at every prom concert. Indicative of the low esteem that the organ is held in by the "greater" musical world. And they wonder why live concerts are loosing their audience.

[@SELMER1947]

Fabuleux

[@charlesdavis7087]

One might turn this into a light show. Infinite Light Spectrum. Parts may need to be seen to be understood. Thanks. Moi

[@charlottewhyte9804]

luv messiaen

[@conw_y]

This and Bruckner’s Präludium are my favourite organ pieces.

[@florianwolf9380]

I prefer the version for orchestra, but this is still magnificent, etheral & very beautiful music. Great intensity, very gripping.

[@Highinsight7]

This was the "original"....

[@mercyhowls2688]

Why do people cough at the silent points?? The silence is an integral part of the music. Cough during the loud parts!

[@joerhodes8785]

St. Oliver pray for us.

[@jacqueslahondere4649]

c'est très beau, que peut-on dire de plus ?

[@LautaroHuentecuraQuezada]

il n'y a rien a dire...

[@thomasgunther18]

Die Abfolge in den Noten atonaler zwölftoniger Musik:Welche Ruhe hier-verglichen mit der Musik, die klassisch am Hofe zum illustren Tanze hochspielte..So einem Jahrgang wie mir wurde es sehr schwer gemacht, atonaler Musik folgen zu können,-Erinnern wir etwa Hindemith, oder Schönberg.Etc.Ganz besonders erinneri ich an Alban Berg, Viuolinkonzert, Dem Andenken eines Engels, was für mich äußerst überwältigend-ekstatisch war.Ich hatte mich in meiner Jugend stark zu zähmen, bis ich Orgelmusik folgen konnte: Sie blieb aber dann bis heute fast das Einzige an Musik, dem ich streng folge.Servus, liebe Grüße Allen. Thomas

[@criticalmindset8471]

First ones beauty even Second I can see sceletondance in my dreams in it and yes thirds glorious

[@criticalmindset8471]

Thank you like santa

[@normanchristie4524]

Just listened to this recording in the Albert Hall after Latry's recording in Notre Dame. I also listened to Judith Weir's rendition played in Rheims. I am sure that Messienne intended this piece to be played on a Caveille-Coll ...I prefer the Father Willis.

[@pktsundere]

mm that moment when you lose your child in the church and suddenly you realise where they are

[@kevinsatizabal1286]

I want to learn the organ just to play this piece

[@gerardbegni2806]

It will be a hard job !!!!!!

[@jean-francoisranck6629]

I think it was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall London

[@pietvandijk1349]

SUPERBE!!

[@christianukr]

bonjour , c'est ou se trouve cet instrument ?

[@paulleclercq8485]

Royal Albert Hall London

[@michaelchrist5356]

Wow,killer,.

[@surfinbeachgurl10683]

Does anyone know where this place is? It looks amazing just like the music!

[@spammolo]

Royal Albert Hall, London

[@surfinbeachgurl10683]

Amazing! Thank you :)

[@loekvanderheide3361]

Dear madam, this performance is on. The great organ of the Royal Alberthall London during the BBC proms concerts.... Yours' Loek

[@Highinsight7]

Royal Albert Hall... That's what i thought... BUT the building and instrument have never looked SO BEAUTIFUL on screen... of course the hall went through a drastic renovation recently... this must be afterwards...? Was this during proms...? what a TREAT for everyone if it was... THIS man ALWAYS plays FIRST class programs!

[@paulfaulkner8788]

Since the bust of Sir Henry Wood is there in front of the organ, yes it must be during the Proms.

[@maaaaaaaaaartin]

Too many people go to concerts just to caugh. A shame.

[@Clkow]

it's not a shame. it's my fucking job.

[@dalerider3124]

cough

[@dalerider3124]

yes! it destroys so much of the music the artist worked so hard to include!!!!

[@paulfreeman4900]

That organ is almost as big as mine. Suit you. Sir!!!

[@iOnlyGotOneFace]

La música está desfasada con respecto al video?

[@miguelsabatini6125]

puede ser que en los órganos muy grandes el t

[@miguelsabatini6125]

teclado espera un poco el sonido

[@gerryarty8342]

Thank you. But there is a dreadful jump at 4:49 ? Can you re-upload please?

[@TurtleFL]

Big tracker? I can tell from the delay assuming that's synched properly.

[@CDB8939]

mander-organs.com/the-grand-organ-royal-albert-hall/ (there is a link in this for the Specification)

[@teusdenotter]

Mooi om te horen op Hemelvaart 2014.

[@guusvanwelsem6349]

waar is dit meesterwerk opgenomen?

[@killboybands1]

Holy fucking shit this is awesome...just fucking awesome.

[@MuzikJunky]

Other than the composer himself, this is the only person in the world who should be performing this music. However, THIS is the kind of organ that Charlemagne Palestine would have a field day with! Peace.

[@richardharrold9736]

Robert Hainault the late David Sanger (R.I.P.) was a wonderful Messiaen player too. Personally, I find Walsh woefully stodgy, whatever he is playing.

[@HupsaKay]

I do not agree! Not only because I love playing Messiaen myself, both on the organ and on the piano but mostly because Messiaen didn't compose his wonderful music never to be heard

[@matthewjohnson6990]

What? I play Messiaen and I'm only 15!

[@Jeremiah17v9]

Robert Hainault I did not know of the connection between Jennifer Bate & Westminster Cathedral as ironically I will be listening to this wonderful piece at that location later on - today being Ascension Sunday.

[@richardharrold9736]

Robert Hainault ***** Jennifer Bate was never based at Westminster Cathedral, although she gave the UK premiere of Livre du Saint Sacrement there in 1986 and played it again there in 2008. She and her father before her have held the post of Organist/Director of Music (I forget the official title) at St James Muswell Hill for many decades, although I understand that she resigned the post to focus on her performing career (which, according to the late Carlo Curley [R.I.P.] she stole from George Thalben-Ball, to whom she was briefly and disastrously married).

[@Orgelmusikmann]

In reply to loosetea.........I Don't know where you are getting you're information on pipe organs, but the response is is almost immediate & there is NOT any delay at all! The audio is a bit out of sync in this video, that's all. Don't know what you were smoking to come up with that load of crap??? :- (

[@RanBlakePiano]

Immature

[@rootwrecker]

12:40 what the hell were those coughs about?

[@jgh548]

If you want to cough at a concert, put your hand over your mouth and do it quietly.

[@photo3642u]

They never learn! They also are the people who applause between movements.

[@jgh548]

@@photo3642u I never understood people who clap between each plop when having a crap. 😛

[@danielcurtomusica]

Temendous!!

[@josemontesinosteruel5502]

Me gusta .-

[@grahamcmusic]

Wow

[@schlorkl]

...sometime the 4th dimension...

[@bjl1238]

The video isn't synchro with sound...

[@MegaCirse]

Fadaise !........ ;-)

[@pascalhocquemiller8665]

Pas de mélodie, un empilement de dissonances sans queue ni tête . . . il réussit à faire moche aussi bien dans les mouvements lents que dans les mouvements rapides . J'espère que le Paradis c'est autre chose.

[@fpaolodidonna3894]

Per organo è più luminosa!!!

[@perdresontemps3560]

12:38 = concert de CORONA VIRUS

[@julesamico5374]

Absolument ! Mdr

[@stefanobertuol1892]

suona Messiaen a memoria???

[@ryangiraldi5722]

No applause! How rude!

[@CliveDBeasley]

I can assure you the applause was great and long. Unfortunately it has been cut off by the uploader

[@rotunda57]

This is England. They applaud by coughing 😒

[@scronx]

It's all impressive. But what does any of this do for you all except for the Transports de joie and other few parts that any audience could identify with and enjoy? I want to like it but it seems to me "famous for being famous"..... am trying not to say "emperor's new clothes", in this case new 90 years ago. Do you folks actually think the whole thing is beautiful? I honestly want to know. It seems so gloomy and fatalistic most of the time.

[@shaftahoy]

I do not think the whole thing is beautiful. I do think the whole thing is stunning, though. Edit: And I do mean musically stunning, not just as a 'performance'.

[@scronx]

@@shaftahoy OK, but stunning and impressive how? Is music there to stun or impress.

[@shaftahoy]

@@scronx Most music exists to invoke a reaction from the listener, and if it invokes no reaction from you, then there is nothing wrong with that, because art is possibly the most subjective thing we ever encounter in our lives! Personally, I find the dissonance and resolutions/half-resolutions make me feel a sense of non-malevolent cosmic horror - perhaps more a cosmic awe. I am powerless and at the mercy of my experiences. When I hear the music, my mind conjures images and emotions; ideas are stirred up from the depths of my consciousness. It does not need to be beautiful. (although I would argue that it is)

[@scronx]

@@shaftahoy Thanks for this ample, honest reply. Decadence takes many forms, and is so prevalent and pervasive today it's easy to be taken in by it. It messes with our minds seeking to seduce us since decadence envies beauty, meaning and grace. Look how popular music from 1960 to today has become void of any human element -- it exists to make a hyper-ironic point that's never stated because it doesn't exist. The same has happened in classical music and indeed all the arts, every major one of them. The whole time we're living our lives and trying to grasp what it's all about, evil people are exploiting every opportunity to pervert and subvert us -- through the arts because they deal in our emotions. If Messiaen was serious in writing his coocoo stuff I'm Chopin. Haha -- "Force et agilité des corps glorieux', meaningless ranting at the octave for a while! I asked these questions to evoke a reaction from the reader. See the Picasso quote in a 1960s Life magazine in which he calls himself a clown and charlatan who did it all to make fools of the public and critics. Composers pushing the limits of modernism for its own sake win many prizes but is that the only goal? Ugliness and craziness are called high art. "Cosmic horror - perhaps more a cosmic awe". Just as easy to get gazing on the ruins of Detroit? Urban burnout, yet another blight resulting from wacky Big Ideas that took over everything.

[@shaftahoy]

@@scronx I also believe that as soon as an artist releases their music out into the public domain, they lose control over what it means. No matter how banal, asinine or saritical they meant for it to be, if people like it, then in at least one sense, it's good art.

[@joehedges1772]

Who let the cat walk on the organ

[@pktsundere]

this is bad

[@autodidact2499]

His music is wonderful; his religiosity is disgusting--ignore it.

[@fryingwiththeantidote2486]

you don't get one without the other