KATHMANDU: On the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Oliver Messiaen, a piano recital of works of Russian and French composers was held at the Russian Embassy on February 20. The programme was organised by the Embassies of Russia and France.

Messiaen was born in Avingnon (South of France) on December 10, 1908 and died in Paris on April 27, 1992. He was a French composer, organist and famous ornithologist.

The pianists Irina Kataeva and Cristina Vinas Lefevre played soulful tunes as the audience in the hall was totally enraptured by the soothing sounds. Kataeva is professor of piano and accompaniment at the Rayonnement Regional Conservatory of Evry. She has participated in many festivals around the world. Lefevre is founder of a famous piano school in Argentina and has won many awards, and is now dedicated to pedagogy. The two have played in several concerts together.

The two talented pianists played slow soft tunes that moved onto more invigorating notes. It was works by Alexandre Scriabin and Oliver Messiaen that were played at the function.

In the beginning it was Scriabin’s 5 preludes opus 74 by Kataava, 5 etudus opus 8 n 3,4,5 by Leferve and Sonate n 9 (Messe Noire) by Kataeva that mesmerised all present. It was then followed by Messiaen’s Vision d’Amen after giving a short description about it. It consisted of Amen de la creation, Amen des etoiles de la planete a l anneau and others.

It was certainly the highlight of the function which had everyone applauding as both played the final tunes for the evening.