Messiaen: Des Canyons aux étoiles & Oiseaux exotiques & Couleurs de la cité céleste

"From the canyons to the stars" is Olivier Messiaen's musical vision of the sights and sounds (birdcalls in particular) of the American West. If you've ever been to Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon, then this musical travelogue will certainly stimulate your memory. Messiaen's musical language in all of these works is unique. You won't find conventional melody or harmony, but it is colorful and consistent, and he's just as likely to use lovely, consonant harmonies as nasty dissonant ones. Once you understand that the purpose of his music is almost purely descriptive, your own imagination takes over and it becomes fascinating and enjoyable--which is a good description of these fine performances. --David Hurwitz