für gemischten Chor, sieben Instrumentalsolisten und Orchester
Inspiriert durch den Anblick der sonnenüberfluteten Gletscher der Dauphiné-Alpen, der in dem gläubigen Katholiken Olivier Messiaen die Vision des galiläischen Bergers Tabor wachrief, auf dem die "Verklärung Christi" stattgefunden haben soll, vollendete der französische Komponist und Organist 1969 das gewaltige Oratorium "La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ".
Hymnische Choräle stehen neben rituellen Gong-, Tamtam- und Glockenklängen, indische Metren neben Voglerufen, konstruktives Kalkül neben naiver Klangsinnlichkeit, fromme Ekstase neben weltabgewandter Versenkung.
Sieben Instrumentalsolisten, ein riesiger Chor und ein aufwändig besetztes Orchester fordert Messiaen zur Gestaltung dieses "theologischen Regenbogens" aus zweimal sieben Teilen.
Jésus Christ
Assumpsit Jesus Petrum, et Jacobum
Configuratum corpori claritatis suae
Christus Jesus, splendor Patris
Et ecce apparuerunt (Gospel passage)
Quam ditecta tabernacula tua
Candor est lucis aetenae
In monte sancto ejus
Hic est Filius meus
Perfecto conscius illius perfectae generatiosnis
Adoptionem filiorum perfectam
Et audientes discipuli
Terribilis est locus iste
Tota trinitas apparuit
Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuae
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) is known for his unique composition style. Incorporating complex rhythms, harmony, melodies and his passion for ornithology, his The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ for Choir, Seven solo instruments and Orchestra is no exception to the composer's popular, distinctive style.
Composed between 1965-1969, The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is based on the account of Jesus' Transfiguration, found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. The work requires a huge 200 performers and with 14 movements, a typical performance lasts about an hour and a half. The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ incorporates Messiaen's popular compositional techniques, such as his modes of limited transposition, and the use of birdsong. Texts are largely based on the Bible. The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is essential to all advanced musicians seeking to expand and vary their ensemble repertoire on a large-scale.