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Messiaen Éclairs sur l'Au-delá

Sir Simon Rattle/London Symphony Orchestra

,Barbican Hall
Photo of Sir Simon Rattle conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in the Barbican Hall

Éclairs sur l’Au-Delà … is the last piece Messiaen ever completed, and it’s monumental in all senses of the word.  

‘I imagined myself in front of a curtain, in darkness, apprehensive about what lay beyond: Resurrection, Eternity, the other life.’ That’s how Messiaen described his inspiration for Éclairs sur l’Au-Delà … . Scored for a gigantic orchestra of over 120 musicians, it melds the composer’s fascinations with Roman Catholic theology and ornithology, the study of birds.

Densely orchestrated chorales mingle with rushing birdsong notated by Messiaen in the Australian countryside. At the centre of the work sits the seventh movement, ‘Seven Angels with Seven Trumpets’, which displays the composer at his most theatrical. With grave-cracking drum strikes and loud brass, this is a truly cosmic vision of what an afterlife might sound like.
 

Tagged with: Classical music LSO 2019–20 London Symphony Orchestra More...

Duration to be confirmed closer to the event.

Supported by the Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne

Programme

  • Messiaen   Éclairs sur L’au-delà …

Performers

  • Sir Simon Rattle   conductor
  • London Symphony Orchestra  

Barbican Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.