"A brilliant musician and an extraordinary visionary" (Wall Street Journal), Pierre Laurent-Aimard is both celebrated as a master of contemporary music and recognized for his illuminating interpretations of music of the past. Hear his special affinity for the distinctive and otherworldly music of Olivier Messiaen, whose Catalogue d'oiseaux he'll play in its entirety. Composed between 1956 and 1958, this compendium of musical bird portraits was painstakingly transcribed and notated by the composer during visits to the French provinces. Messiaen writes: "Each soloist is presented in its habitat, surrounded by a landscape and the songs of other birds that are found in the same region." Messiaen was very proud of the accuracy of his musical descriptions: "All here is truth, even the countryside with all its accompanying sights, sounds, smells and thermal currents." Each piece has a brief introductory poem designed to set the scene for the performer or listener.

Hear a rarely-performed collection that might just bring out the birder in you!