Olivier Messiaen Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
Olivier Messiaen is known as a composer who led the contemporary music scene in Europe in the 20th century.
In addition to his work as a composer, he was active as an organist and pianist, and as a music educator who nurtured many students.
His accomplishments have also been recognized beyond music, including his erudition as a theologian and his achievements as an ornithologist.
This time, we’re presenting a ranking of Olivier Messiaen’s most popular pieces—be sure to check it out!
Playlist
| Olivier Messiaen Popular Songs Ranking [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Quartet for the End of TimeOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | A masterpiece composed by Messiaen in a prisoner-of-war camp |
| 2 | Four Rhythmic Etudes No. 1: “The Island of Fire I”Olivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Messiaen links sound and color |
| 3 | Eight Preludes No. 1 “Dove”Olivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Messiaen's dove, expressing peace and religiosity |
| 4 | Eight Preludes No. 8 “Reflections in the Wind”Olivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that demonstrates Messiaen’s chromatic originality |
| 5 | Hymne au Saint SacrementOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | A Communion Hymn of Modern Music by Messiaen |
| 6 | L’Ascension: III. Transports de joie d’une ame devant la gloire du Christ qui est la sienneOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Messiaen, a master of contemporary music. Rooted in Catholicism... |
| 7 | Phantom of AmenOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Messiaen, a composer characterized by complex rhythms and religiosity |
| 8 | KanteyojayaOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Fusion of Messiaen's sacred music and Hindu rhythms |
| 9 | A Little Piece before the Grave of Paul DukasOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Messiaen, a piano piece in homage to his teacher |
| 10 | 20 Gazes Upon the Infant Jesus, No. 11: The Virgin’s First Holy CommunionOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Messiaen’s mystical religious musical works |
| 11 | 20 Gazes Upon the Infant Jesus, No. 15: The Kiss of the Child JesusOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | A masterpiece suite by Messiaen on the theme of the Infancy of Jesus |
| 12 | 20 Gazes Upon the Infant Jesus, No. 1: The Gaze of God the FatherOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Olivier Messiaen’s religious masterpiece, Vingt regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus |
| 13 | Exotic BirdsOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | A piano piece that expresses Messiaen’s birdsong |
| 14 | Catalogue of Birds, Volume 1, No. 1: “Yellow-billed Chough”Olivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Messiaen’s Catalogue of Birds: rendering natural beauty into music |
| 15 | Bird Catalogue, Volume 1, No. 2: Yellow-headed OrioleOlivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Messiaen’s Catalogue of Birds is a masterpiece that depicts nature |
| 16 | Bird Catalogue, Volume 2, No. 6: “Forest Lark”Olivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | A masterpiece by Messiaen that recreates birdsong in sound |
| 17 | Bird Catalog, Volume 7, No. 13: “Eurasian Curlew”Olivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Messiaen “Catalogue of Birds”: musicalization of birdsong |
| 18 | Small Sketches of Birds, No. 1: “European Robin”Olivier Messiaen |  play_arrow | Messiaen's piano pieces imitating birdsong |