"Music that drifts off to sleep and sings, of new blood, spoken gestures, an unfamiliar scent, a sleeping bird; the music of stained-glass church windows, a swirl of complementary colors, a theological rainbow." This personal definition by Olivier Messiaen refers to both the purely musical and extra-musical characteristics he demands of himself and ascribes to his works. It also serves as a brief summary of one of the most important works Messiaen produced during his first major creative period. This edition, mixed and edited from the original 8-track tapes, offers a breathtaking listening experience with the highest analog sound quality.