L'Apparition de l'Église éternelle
by Olivier Messiaen
Composed in 1932, L'Apparition de l'Église éternelle is among the earliest of Messiaen's organ meditations and the first to reveal fully his distinctive theological vision and harmonic language. The work is a single, vast crescendo and decrescendo — a great arch of sound representing the apparition and withdrawal of the eternal Church — built on powerful chordal masses that expand through Messiaen's characteristic modes of limited transposition. Deeply rooted in Catholic mysticism, it established the contemplative, visionary character that would mark all his subsequent organ music.
Editions
Henry Lemoine
Olivier Messiaen, 1934
Original edition authorised by the composer; the primary source text and the basis for all subsequent editions.
Henry Lemoine
Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen, 2000
Revised edition prepared by Messiaen's widow incorporating the composer's late annotations on registration and interpretation.
Durand
Editorial staff, 2002
Study score edition with a preface on Messiaen's theological and musical language, widely used in academic courses on 20th-century music.