This momentous concert evening offers a deep insight into the theological and musical world of Olivier Messiaen, whose work, like no other, is underpinned by the sacred number seven as a symbol of divine perfection.
To begin with, Odilo Klasen makes the appearance of the eternal church physically palpable in the space through his monumental early work *Apparition de l’Église éternelle*.
At the centre of the programme are the monumental *Visions de l’Amen* for two pianos, whose legendary world premiere in occupied Paris in 1943 made music history. Spanning seven movements, the work depicts creation’s harmony with the divine will – from the birth of the stars through the suffering of Christ to the ecstatic fulfilment of the cosmos. Frederike Möller and Yukiko Fujieda bring these seven visions to life on the pianos, with Odilo Klasen on the organ providing dramatic interludes through the meditation *Le Fils, Verbe et Lumière*.
This brings the story full circle in a fascinating historical way back to Düsseldorf, the city of music: Messiaen himself once performed the *Visions de l’Amen* at Düsseldorf’s Johanneskirche together with his wife, the legendary pianist Yvonne Loriod. His visionary musical language shaped the Rhineland avant-garde across generations. A first-class experience that unites pure passion and theological depth into a cosmic Gesamtkunstwerk.
Featuring Frederike Möller, Yukiko Fujieda and Odilo B. M. Klasen. (Source: IDO Festival)
