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by Olivier Messiaen
(The Angels)
"The celestial army praises God and says: Glory to God in the highest heavens!"

VI. Les Anges only uses only two voices (one per hand) throughout. It is a dance of paradise using the Sharngadeva rhythm and vasanta. The movement is full of energy and commotion. Messiaen tells us it is “fast and joyous. It evolves constantly in the high register, the rhythm being extremely free – all contribute to a lively, majestic movement, freed of all mortal impediment.” Indeed, this is nothing short of a celestial army, all moving around in total freedom and ecstatic bliss. In hearing this piece, one is reminded that the Bible almost never refers to angels without intimating that they are terrifying. We recall that most of these accounts of angels begin with the angels saying: “Fear not!” Clearly, it’s not sweet little putti that are depicted in this movement of music. These are the angels and archangels, with tremendous power and prescience. The piece ends with the angels flying off into the cosmos beyond our hearing.

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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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