Messiaen: Eclairs Sur L'Au-Dela (Illuminations of the Beyond)

"Illuminations of the Beyond" (it's better in English--in French it sounds too much like a pastry) was Olivier Messiaen's last completed work; it's a masterpiece to rank with his other multimovement orchestral extravaganzas: Turangalila Symphony, From the Canyons to the Stars, and The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The music is dazzling in its variety, from the composer's famous birdsong concoctions, to music of truly transcendental beauty. If you enjoy any of his other works, you'll want to hear this, and if you don't know his music, this is also a good place to start. The performance is excellent, and so is the sound. --David Hurwitz