Epiphany Improvisation of Olivier Messiaen

"And the three kings had seen the Star of the Christ in the East and headed towards Nazareth."

(Interestingly, this improvisation makes use of the Introit for the Third Mass of Christmas.)



Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was slated along with Flor Peeters to be among the musical advisers in the midst of the liturgical changes in the 1960's. Neither was ever contacted. Incidentally, the latest issue of Sacred Music has a fascinating article by Catherine Pickstock about this 20th century musical giant.