Messiaen's "Vingt regards" - meaning of the titles

[omccreary]

I'm unclear about the meaning of the titles.

According to Wikipedia, these are "twenty contemplations on the infant Jesus," with titles such as "Regard du Père" (Contemplation of the Father) and "Regard de l'étoile" (Contemplation of the star).  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vingt_regards_sur_l%27enfant-J%C3%A9sus

But who's doing the contemplating, and who's being contemplated? Is this the Father's or the star's contemplation of the infant Jesus? Or the infant Jesus' contemplation of the Father or the star? Or the composer's contemplation of twenty topics related to the infant Jesus?

When the title is "Regard de l'etoile / de la Croix / des hauteurs / de l'Église d'amour" (the star, the Cross, the heights, the Church of love), it seems improbable that the star / Cross / heights / Church of Love are contemplating the infant Jesus. But it seems similarly improbable that the infant Jesus is contemplating the star / Cross / heights / Church of Love.

Obviously there's some figurative meaning here, but I don't understand what meaning is intended.  Please forgive me if this is a stupid question... we all have our blind spots.

[pianoteacheruk]

"Regards" is about the different "aspects" of Jesus, the different points of view from which Jesus can be contemplated. Jesus as the son of Mary, Mother of God, Jesus as seen from above by the stars, etc. But also Jesus on the cross, the kiss of Judas, the Announcement of Jesus, etc. Each "Regards" does have a short introduction by Messiaen which helps with the interpretation.

But overall what you need is a sens of spirituality and awe and humility in front of God. This is not a piece for atheists or agnostics!

[huaidongxi]

to bring up the obvious, the fifth part is "Regard du Fils sur le Fils", which means the infant is part of the consciousness partaking of the contemplation, but just a part.  the contemplating subject can be described as a universal spirit, encompassing and transcending all parts of the xystyin trilogy, and not confined to a particular moment of conventional time, either, because the infant's mortal future is foreseen in part seven, non-finite time referred to in parts nine and seventeen. and there's another Messaien composition that refers to the end of time, indicating he meditated on the metaphysics constantly with his musik.

[omccreary]

Thanks for the explanations. I've been listening to the pieces but don't have a copy of the music, so I haven't read Messiaen's introductions.

[quantum]

You might be interested in the following book which has a rather in depth look at the Vingt Regards.

https://www.amazon.com/Messiaens-Contemplations-Incarnation-Dimension-Diversity/dp/1576471292

[omccreary]

You might be interested in the following book which has a rather in depth look at the Vingt Regards.

Thanks. I might be more interested if the price weren't $1,242!

I guess this is a book to get from the library instead of buying it.

[quantum]

Thanks. I might be more interested if the price weren't $1,242!

I guess this is a book to get from the library instead of buying it.

That price 

The copy I read was from a library.  You might need to check a university library or ILL.