However, last night, a small group of us went along to Bristol cathedral to hear Oliver Messiaen’s “La Nativité du Seigneur” (The Birth of the Lord: nine meditations for organ), played by Paul Walton and David Bednall. … and it was rather lovely.
The cathedral lights were dimmed, candles were lit, there was incense in the air… (you get the general idea).
The work - written by Messiaen at the age of 27 (in 1935) whilst he was in residence at Grenoble near the French Alps - lasted for just over an hour… and it was an excellent opportunity to hear this significant work. Something of a meditative alternative to the flurry of carols at this time of year. The piece is considered to be one of the great organ works of all time… and, certainly, best heard in a large cathedral with a suitable organ and acoustics.
We sat in
the choir stalls – immediately below the cathedral organ – and, believe me, I
don’t think I’ve ever FELT music in such a profound way before in my entire
life! The volume of sound filling the huge, soaring spaces of the cathedral
and, literally, ‘feeling’ the sound vibrate through one’s body.
Quite an experience and a lovely,
hugely impressive, evening.Photo: looking east from the Choir.
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