Tzimon Barto plays Messiaen in Berlin

On December 8th, a special work will be performed at the Komische Oper in Berlin: Tzimon Barto performs the solo piano part in Messiaen’s Des canyons aux étoiles. Alice Tully commissioned the work in 1972 on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.

Just as unconventional as the founding fathers of the USA, Messiaen thinks and works with his composition. Four soloists, in 12 movements, synesthesia inspired by the lunar landscape of the canyons in Utah, bird sounds and spiritual excursions into space are all combined by the composer into an amazing, huge work. The solo part has it all, and Tzimon Barto not only masters the technical demands of the work excellently, but also lends his interpretation the decisive touch of musical understanding and philosophical depth.