“Vingt Regards sur l’enfant Jésus,” composed by Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) in 1944, is a monumental work for solo piano that stands as one of the most significant pieces in the 20thcentury piano repertoire.

The title translates to “Twenty Contemplations on the Infant Jesus,” and the work is a deep spiritual meditation on the mysteries of the Christian faith, particularly the incarnation of Jesus. Messiaen, a devout Catholic, imbues each of the twenty movements with profound theological symbolism, exploring themes such as the Virgin Mary, the Star of Bethlehem, and the adoration of the Magi. His use of complex rhythms, unique harmonic language, and bird song transcriptions—elements characteristic of his style—create a deeply immersive and mystical soundscape. The piece, a cornerstone of the piano repertoire, challenges the performer with its technical demands and emotional depth. Messiaen’s music here is both reflective and ecstatic, intended to evoke a sense of the divine and the eternal.

This is the third and last instalment of Messiaen’s complete piano music by Italian pianist Ciro Longobardi, a specialist in contemporary repertoire. His previous recording of Catalogue d’Oiseaux (PCL10155) received excellent reviews, a.o. a 5-star review in French Diapason.