La Nativité du Seigneur: Gespräch und Konzert

A master of the organ: Hans-Ola Ericsson plays “La Nativité” by Olivier Messiaen

A piece of music that many connoisseurs and lovers of organ music consider to be one of the highlights of the Christmas season, and which brings its mystery to life in a special way, will be performed on the fourth Sunday of Advent in St. Catherine's Church in Oppenheim by the outstanding Swedish organist Hans-Ola Ericsson: “La Nativité du Seigneur: neuf méditations pour orgue.”

With this composition, “The Birth of the Lord: Nine Meditations for Organ,” written in 1935 at the age of 27, French composer Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992) established his international reputation as the most important organ composer of the 20th century. Although some of his contemporaries were initially perplexed by the young composer's unusual musical language, which also incorporated Hindu rhythms and birdsong, the “Nativité” silenced all critical voices at its premiere. With his musical cycle about the Christmas story, the deeply devout Catholic succeeded in creating an interpretation that goes far beyond a setting of the familiar imagery. In a musical language never before realized, he combines elements of Christian mysticism with the musical avant-garde of his time. His music thus becomes a vision of faith in which he reveals the connection between man and God. Thus, “La Nativité” is, as Olivier Messiaen himself says: “... music that sways and sings, ... music like an unknown fragrance, a bird without sleep..., music like stained glass windows, a whirlwind of complementary colors, ... a theological rainbow...”

On Saturday, December 20, at 5 p.m., Dr. Katrin Bibiella, herself an excellent interpreter of “Nativité,” invites you to a concert talk about the work. The internationally renowned Messiaen interpreter Prof. Hans-Ola Ericsson will present sound samples on the Oppenheim Woehl organ, which, thanks to its diverse registration possibilities, is able to correspond to the work in a uniquely multifaceted way. The entire composition will be performed the following day, the fourth Sunday of Advent, at 5 p.m. Hans-Ola Ericsson's highly sensitive playing serves Messiaen's passionate desire for expression: the “struggle to represent the greatest and most important themes, the ‘visible and invisible.’”

Saturday, December 20, 2025, 5 p.m.
St. Catherine's Church, Oppenheim
Introductory evening to the nine-part organ cycle “La Nativité du Seigneur” by Olivier Messiaen
Introduction to the work: Dr. Katrin Bibiella
Organ: Prof. Hans-Ola Ericsson, Sweden

Fourth Sunday in Advent, Sunday, December 21, 2025, 5 p.m.
St. Catherine's Church, Oppenheim
Olivier Messiaen: “La Nativité du Seigneur” – The Birth of the Lord
Nine-part meditation cycle on the birth of Christ
Organ: Prof. Hans-Ola Ericsson, Sweden