Messiaen: Apparition of the Eternal Church | Jillian Gardner, Organ | Huntsville, AL

Olivier Messiaen — Apparition de l'église éternelle (Apparition of the Eternal Church) (1932) Jillian Gardner, organ 1961 Schantz Organ at Huntsville First United Methodist Church, Huntsville, Alabama Apparition of the Eternal Church is a work for organ written by the French composer Olivier Messiaen in 1932. The piece is in arch form, beginning in pianissimo and building up to a fortississimo climax featuring a C major chord, before receding back to silence. Written for solo organ at the age of 24, it is meant to approximate a fleeting glimpse at divinity itself and the accompanying terror and ecstasy such an encounter would produce. Much of Messiaen's music was inspired by Roman Catholic theology, interpreted in a quasi-mystical manner, and the Apparition stands as one of his most visceral and concentrated expressions of that vision. The gradual unleashing of the instrument's awesome power in this work underlines just how assured Messiaen already was in his early twenties. It remains one of the most extraordinary and powerful works in the organ repertoire. Jillian Gardner serves as Director of Music Ministries and Organist at Huntsville First United Methodist Church, and is the founder of the Huntsville Sacred Chorale. She performs regularly at major venues across the United States and internationally. 🎵 Subscribe for more organ music, sacred choral performances, and concert recordings from HFUMC.