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by Olivier MESSIAEN
("The Word")
"he Lord said to me: You are my Son. From God's womb, before the dawn of time, I have begotten you. I am the image of the kindness of God; I am the Word of Life, whence all commences."

This music superimposes two Indian rhythms, "Turangalila" and "Sarasa," and starts with a flourish followed by a very strong descending pedal line (the Word coming down from God). This dramatic opening is an aural depiction of the creation of the Son of God: full of flourishes and fanfares. We see the Creator at work in declamatory and fiery passion. The second section is a stark contrast to the first, returning to the meditative world of the heart. It calls to mind the text: "I am the Image of the Goodness of God; I am the Word of Life." Messiaen says that it is related to Hindu ragas, plainsong sequences and graduals, and the ornate chorales of Bach. Performing this movement has an unusual challenge: The music of the long second section is simultaneously slow and ecstatic; it is the powerful energy of Hindu kundalini synthesizing with the depth of Christian love. This is Christ consciousness in music.

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from Messiaen: La Nativité du Seigneur - Full Resolution, released September 20, 2021

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Jonathan Dimmock San Francisco, California

Jonathan Dimmock (www.JonathanDimmock.com) is an internationally renowned concert organist. He is the Principal Organist of the Legion of Honor Museum, Organist for the San Francisco Symphony, and Director of Music at Congregation Sherith Israel. He was Organ Scholar of Westminster Abbey. and worked at 3 cathedrals - St. John the Divine (NYC), St. Mark’s (Mpls), and Grace (San Francisco). ... more

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