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by Olivier Messiaen
(The Shepherds)
Having seen the Child sleeping in the crèche, the shepherds went their way, glorifying and praising God.

II. Les Bergers describes the shepherds praising and glorifying God as they return to their fields having seen the child Jesus. In the slow, mysterious introduction, we have a depiction of the shepherds finding the baby in the manger. They are hushed and full of awe. Messiaen has intended to illustrate the “spiritual clarity of the crèche,” using a polymodal ostinato (a technique which defines Messiaen’s subsequent work). He describes this as a stained-glass window: “Blue-violet, a touch of red, gold, and silver.” The main theme of the movement is next heard as shepherd pipes play a Noel. Two shepherds are playing to each other, and one can hear the different character of their instruments as they take turns. Also, in this movement, is a short reference to birdcalls, an interest that would occupy the rest of Messiaen’s life.

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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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