Bertrand Chamayou plays Messiaen: Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus: Première communion de la Vierge

“An atmospheric, meditative moment of repose at the heart of the work“ is Bertrand Chamayou’s description of Première communion de la Vierge (The Virgin’s first communion), the 11th of the 20 pieces in Messiaen’s Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus. Discover the album: This piece represents just one aspect of the 20th-century masterpiece which, as Bertrand says, “comes out in a single flow and doesn’t feel like two hours.“ This video was recorded in the French city of Angers at the Abbaye du Ronceray, a building dating back to the 11th century, and sees the French pianist with his original score from childhood. As Bertrand explains, “I was just a child, around nine years old, when I read and heard this piece for the first time. It proved a formative shock, a revelation that significantly swayed my course.“ Filmed by Deyan Parouchev. Location: Abbaye du Ronceray, Angers – France With the support of: Ville d’Angers - ANG