Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum; Chronochromie; La Ville d'en haut
Pierre Boulez's performances of Olivier Messiaen's scores, especially  the tough ones, are legendary, and "Chronochromie" is the composer's most  complex and abstract work. Rising to the challenge, Boulez directs what is  clearly its finest recording--not that there's been all that much competition!  Of course, he has the great advantage of the Cleveland Orchestra--easily the  world's finest ensemble in the field of contemporary music, and a DG recording  of extreme clarity. The two couplings are less difficult, but let's not kid  ourselves, this isn't a record for the casual listener looking for a pretty  tune. It's great music, but it demands commitment.--David Hurwitz