Contemplations: The Music of Olivier Messiaen
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Pianist Matthew McCright gives definitive performances of Messiaen's piano music.

This recording was conceived by pianist Matthew McCright by pairing music from two periods of Olivier Messiaen's compositional life that are linked by the pianist Yvonne Loriod. Messiaen heard Loriod perform the Préludes, and she became his muse for countless compositions, including Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant Jésus, which was dedicated to her, and later, his second wife. McCright has performed extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and the South Pacific as a piano soloist and chamber musician. A member of the piano faculty of Carleton College, McCright has premiered numerous new pieces, many written for him, and has collaborated with such composers as Pauline Oliveros, Terry Riley, Augusta Read Thomas, and Paul Dresher, among many others. He studied at Westminster College, the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Minnesota.
Contents:
Olivier Messiaen, composer
from Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus
Matthew McCright, piano

Olivier Messiaen, composer
Préludes
Matthew McCright, piano

Review:
“…McCright definitely has a way with Messiaen’s scores that will involve and mesmer-ize you... McCright is certainly a name I will remember and look for in choosing future releases for review. One cannot say enough about his superb musicality and feeling in these works.” (Fanfare)

“I could not ask for a pianist more sensitive to the beauty of these very complex piec-es…McCright’s ample technical abilities allow his creative interpretation to unfold with-out any restrictions…I am thankful for McCright’s efforts, both on a musicological and a pianistic level.” (American Record Guide)