ONE of the country’s most talented young organists will be placing the music of French composer Oliver Messiaen under the spotlight.

Durham Cathedral’s sub-organist Francesca Massey will give a recital performance of the composer’s La Nativite du Seigneur at Durham Cathedral, at 7.30pm on Wednesday (January 21).

The title translates as The Birth of the Saviour and the work consists of nine meditations, each of which portrays an aspect of Christ’s birth.

Messiaen composed the piece when in the French Alps and is reported to have said he was inspired by the mountains and medieval stained glass of Europe’s Cathedrals.

Miss Massey said: “La Nativite du Seigneur is great favourite of most organists and listeners alike.

“It is just so unique and pictorial, depicting lots of aspects of the Christmas story, including characters such as the shepherds, the Magi and angels. Each movement is so colourful.

Miss Massey will play on the cathedral’s mighty Harrison organ She said: “The challenge playing it on an English organ is finding the right colours, because Messiaen was very descriptive about the registrations he wanted and not all of those colours are available on an English organ.

“So it’s about finding the right soundworld – to bring it to life.”

The event is in aid of the Michael James Music Trust, a fund set up in memory of a former organ scholar of University College, Durham, who died young.

Tickets (£8 & £6 concession) on the door.