Olivier Messiaen Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

20 Gazes Upon the Infant Jesus, No. 15: The Kiss of the Child JesusOlivier Messiaen11rank/position

Messiaen: From 'Twenty Gazes upon the Infant Jesus' – No. 15, The Kiss of the Infant Jesus Piano: Yuri Ito

Twenty Contemplations on the Infant Jesus is a piano work by the French composer Olivier Messiaen.

This large-scale suite consists of 20 pieces centered on the childhood of Jesus Christ.

The 15th piece, The Kiss of the Infant Jesus, symbolically portrays a tender kiss bestowed upon the Christ child, and is renowned for its strikingly mystical and poetic beauty.

Characteristic of Messiaen’s religious and mystical style, the piece exquisitely fuses complex rhythms and harmonies with innovative melodies, leaving a profound impression on listeners.

It is a gem not only for those familiar with classical music but also for first-time listeners.

20 Gazes Upon the Infant Jesus, No. 1: The Gaze of God the FatherOlivier Messiaen12rank/position

Olivier Messiaen – Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus (1944)

Olivier Messiaen, a composer who epitomizes 20th-century France.

Among his works that pursue religious themes, perhaps the most famous is the piano suite Vingt regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus.

This large-scale set of twenty pieces was composed in Paris in 1944.

In the first piece, Regard du Père, the motif known as the “Theme of God,” which recurs throughout the work, is especially striking.

With its complex rhythms and harmonies and its rich sense of color, the piece conveys both the depth of Messiaen’s faith and his musical originality.

Although it demands advanced performance technique, its profound spirituality makes it a work well worth the challenge.

Exotic BirdsOlivier Messiaen13rank/position

Messiaen (O. Messiaen): Exotic Birds (Oiseaux exotiques) - PRIEM WIND ENSEMBLE

Olivier Messiaen, a representative composer of 20th-century France, possessed a rare talent that combined a mystical religious outlook, a deep love for birds, and a unique sense of color.

One of his major works, the piano cycle “Oiseaux exotiques” (“Exotic Birds”), is a large-scale composition of thirteen pieces that faithfully recreates the songs of birds from various regions of France, musically depicting their individual behaviors and habitats.

Its fantastical sonic world—woven from complex rhythms and rich harmonies—invites listeners into a nature scene brimming with exotic atmosphere.

With many outstanding performances by superb pianists, this piece is highly recommended for anyone interested in contemporary music.

Catalogue of Birds, Volume 1, No. 1: “Yellow-billed Chough”Olivier Messiaen14rank/position

Olivier Messiaen – Catalogue d’oiseaux (Book 1) [With score]

Olivier Messiaen—one of the 20th century’s leading French composers, organists, and teachers—created the work Catalog of Birds.

Based on Messiaen’s deep interest in birdsong and his field research, this ambitious piece seeks to capture nature’s beauty and complexity in music.

Catalog of Birds consists of seven volumes, each piece inspired by the calls of birds native to specific regions.

In the work that imitates the song of the Alpine chough from the Alps, one can sense Messiaen’s profound love of music and nature, born from his fascination with birdsong since his teenage years.

Even those unfamiliar with classical music may feel the mysterious beauty inherent in the natural world through this work.

Bird Catalogue, Volume 1, No. 2: Yellow-headed OrioleOlivier Messiaen15rank/position

Olivier Messiaen: From the Catalogue of Birds, No. 2 “Golden Oriole” / Haruka Abiko [Japan Performers Competition]

Olivier Messiaen, one of the great composers of the 20th century, showed a deep interest in music from childhood and blossomed as a prodigious talent at a young age.

His music is filled with unmistakably personal traits—complex rhythms, rich timbres, and a unique harmonic language.

The piano collection Catalogue d’oiseaux is a set of 13 pieces composed between 1956 and 1958, inspired by the natural landscapes of France and the songs of birds.

The second piece, titled “The Yellow-browed Warbler,” is a masterpiece that reflects Messiaen’s ambitious attempt to faithfully reproduce birdsong.

Beyond the birds’ calls, his music depicts scenery, light, and atmosphere, forming a sublime art in which deep reverence for nature is fused with religious devotion.

Immerse yourself in Messiaen’s mysterious, color-suffused musical world.

Bird Catalogue, Volume 2, No. 6: “Forest Lark”Olivier Messiaen16rank/position

Messiaen: L’alouette lulu (Catalogue d’oiseaux) ∙ Pierre-Laurent Aimard

Olivier Messiaen, one of the defining composers of the 20th century, was an artist who single-mindedly pursued music.

Centered on mystical and religious themes, he established a unique musical language through his exploration of complex rhythms and harmonies.

His Catalogue d’oiseaux is truly the culmination of Messiaen’s musical world.

In Book II, No.

6, “The Woodlark,” he reproduces the sounds of France’s natural landscapes and birds down to the finest detail.

From this piece, one can feel his deep love and reverence for birds as God’s creations.

It is a masterpiece that I especially encourage those unfamiliar with classical music to hear.

Bird Catalog, Volume 7, No. 13: “Eurasian Curlew”Olivier Messiaen17rank/position

Messiaen: Catalogue d’oiseaux No. 13 “Le courlis cendré” (The Eurasian Curlew) Performer: Reiko Kato

Olivier Messiaen, known for his mystical and richly colored style.

His representative piano work, Catalogue d’oiseaux, consists of 13 pieces that transcribe birdsongs from various regions of France and weave them together with his unique musical language.

Among them, Book 7, No.

13, “The Eurasian Curlew,” brilliantly depicts the solitary call of this bird, which inhabits the coast of Brittany, and the stark beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Its complex rhythms and harmonies and its rich sonorities convey a profound reverence for God and a deep love of nature.

Why not experience the composer’s spirituality through the performance of a sensitive pianist?

Small Sketches of Birds, No. 1: “European Robin”Olivier Messiaen18rank/position

Olivier Messiaen : Petites esquisses d’oiseaux – 1. Le Rouge-gorge (Marie Vermeulin)

Olivier Messiaen, one of the defining French composers of the 20th century, is known for his original musical language and profound spirituality.

Petites esquisses d’oiseaux is a collection of piano pieces dedicated to his wife, Yvonne Loriod, consisting of six short movements that imitate the songs of various European birds.

Marked by complex, richly colored harmonies and rhythms, the work reflects the composer’s religious worldview and love of nature, making it a recommended piece not only for classical music enthusiasts but also for nature lovers.