On Saturday 1 February at 7 pm Peter Dyke, assistant director of music at Hereford Cathedral, will give a performance of Olivier Messiaen’s organ masterpiece La nativité du Seigneur.

 

The work, which was written in 1935, consists of nine movements or ‘meditations’ inspired by the birth and life of Christ. Completed when the composer was only 27 years old, it is one of the first works to make extensive use of the modes of limited transposition which Messiaen himself devised.

 

Peter Dyke said, “Many people will have watched the re-opening of the cathedral of Notre Dame this December and will have heard the central part the organ took in the liturgy. Olivier Messiaen’s music is part of this rich tradition of French organ music and its wonderfully distinct flavour makes an impression on all who hear it.

 

These nine meditations on the Christmas story are both profound and intimate, and the artistic images we will show on the screen during the music will help the listeners become more deeply immersed in the beauty of the music. We are lucky to have such a fantastic Father Willis organ at Hereford that fills the magnificent building so superbly!”

 

Tickets priced at £5, are available to purchase from the cathedral website and Cathedral Shop (01432 374210).