On March 5, there will be a concert of Messaien's organ work, "Livre du Saint Sacrement" at Ascension Episcopal Church in Greenwich Village. The organist is Jon Gillock of Paris.

The venue is of special note because of the massive French-designed and built organ recently installed there. I have heard it is especially appropriate for Messaien's music.

Somehow I missed last year's Messaien concert, but I'll make sure not to miss this one. Here's a link.

Messaien at Ascension Church

I am deeply envious, especially as Jon Gillock is such a fine interpreter of Messiaen. (Have you heard his recording of 'Les corps glorieux' at La Trinité, Messiaen's church?)

'Livre du Saint Sacrement' is Messiaen's last organ work, and I think more accessible than 'Méditations sur le mystère de la Sainte Trinité' from 15 years earlier. I worked on several movements at uni, and whilst not without some fierce challenges, ultimately it was time gratifyingly spent.

Have a great time!

The very opening chords (and the very final chords of the first movement) of 'Livre du Saint Sacrement' are some of the richest, most colorful sounds I've ever heard.

Disclaimer: "Livre" is actually the only Messiaen organ work I know. I got Rudolf Innig's recording many years ago and got to know it, then bought his complete Messiaen recordings, then had all of them (and some Schoenberg string quartets too) stolen by a musically discerning thief.

Thanks for the heads-up, Joe. I once heard several Messiaen organ concerts at San Francisco's Cathedral of the Assumption; this concert is at Church of the Ascension, so should be similar.

-Jason