Olivier Messiaen (1908–92) wrote his great suite for solo piano Vingt regards sur l’enfant Jésus in 1944 while Paris was liberated from the Germans. The title can be translated Twenty Views of the Child Jesus but literally means Twenty Looks at the Child Jesus, and most of the twenty movements are called something with Regard: The Father’s Look, The Star’s Look, The Virgin’s Look and so on.

It takes just over two hours to play. In Allhelgonakyrkan, we hear Oskar Ekberg, a 45-year-old pianist who first performed this work in 2003. On his website, he speaks of “a very special feeling to play this work (by heart) in its entirety, and I am glad that I had the opportunity to about ten times since then”. We believe that it will be a pleasant recreation and reflection in the days between Christmas and the challenges of the new year.

Duration 2 h 15 min, no intermission.

Ticket price 200 SEK, under 26 free admission.