Olivier Messiaen: Vingt Regards sur l'enfant-Jésus
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)
Hyperion Records CDA67351/2
CRITICS' CHOICE (GRAMOPHONE)
EDITOR'S CHOICE (GRAMOPHONE)
GRAMOPHONE AWARD NOMINATION
BEST OF THE YEAR (THE DAILY TELEGRAPH)
BEST CD OF 2002 (BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE)
THE BEST OF 2002 (FONOFORUM)
ALBUM OF THE WEEK (MUSIC WEEK)
Breathtaking … Not just a first-class performance, magnificently recorded, but a very important structural statement on playing one of the last century's masterpieces of piano literature
— The Glasgow Herald
Osborne's performance is one of towering authority and technical achievement
— Gramophone, October 2002, Editor's Choice
Few possess the spiritual, emotional and physical stamina required for a successful interpretation of the complete cycle…Steven Osborne's new account certainly demonstrates these qualities in abundance…[and] holds off the substantial competition
— BBC Music Magazine, October 2002
Pick of the Month (5 star rating)
A performance of commanding virtuosity, deep poetry and ravishing colour
— Gramophone
Osborne's revelatory performance is a blinding tour de force of interpretive and pianistic incandescence. Awesome
— Classic FM Magazine
Awe-inspiring
— The Sunday Times
Outstanding
— The Independent
An ideal combination of spirituality and transcendent virtuosity. This is an outstanding achievement. If you enjoy Messiaen's music, you need to hear this
— BBC Radio 3, CD Review
Anyone looking for a recording of Messiaen's most famous piano work can do no better than Osborne's
— The Guardian
Playing of absorbing intensity... One of the most successful and spectacular piano discs of recent years
— The Daily Telegraph
Hyperion’s presentation, like the recorded sound, complements Osborne’s magnificent grasp of the music… It is without question one of the finest versions of the Vingt Regards to have appeared
— International Record Review
Every movement gives a new cause for wonder at the luminosity, the sensitivity of touch or the febrile energy revealed in Osborne’s playing. He is accurate but daring, precise but impassioned, strong but gentle, as excellent in detail as in overall shape. Maybe you’d just better go and buy it
— Pianist
An original and personal reading… This newcomer then, is a compelling addition to the catalogue, beautifully set down… Recommended
— International Piano
Tracklisting
Regard du Père
Regard de l'étoile
L'échange
Regard de la Vierge
Regard du Fils sur le Fils
Par Lui tout à été fait
Regard de la Croix
Regard des hauteurs
Regard du Temps
Regard de l'Esprit de joie
Première communion de la Vierge
La parole toute puissante
Noël
Regard des Anges
Le baiser de l'Enfant-Jésus
Regards des prophètes, des bergers et des Mages
Regard du silence
Regard de l'Onction terrible
Je dors, mais mon cœur veille
Regard de l'Eglise d'amour