Olivier Messiaen's "Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus"

Olivier Messiaen's "Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus": To say that Messiaen's Vingt Regards sur L'Enfant-Jesus (Twenty Contemplations on the Infant Jesus) is a masterpiece is a gross understatement. Over sixty years after its composition, it has rightfully earned the recognition of being one of the most important piano works of the 20th century. ... [It] is one of the most personal and intimate pieces Messiaen ever wrote, and it gives the listener a close look at Messiaen the person. Messiaen was a deeply religious person, and although his faith influenced every single piece he wrote, the Vingt Regards is almost like his own personal spiritual diary. - Keith Kerchoff

My kind of Christmas music:



I. Regard du Père ("Contemplation of the Father")



II. Regard de l'étoile ("Contemplation of the star")



III. L'échange ("The exchange")



IV. Regard de la Vierge ("Contemplation of the Virgin")



V. Regard du Fils sur le Fils ("Contemplation of the Son upon the Son")



The Pierre-Laurent Aimard performance in these clips seems to be the consensus recommendation - and can be found online in FLAC.