Art of Elan in the Desert

Experience one of the most ambitious and rarely performed masterpieces of the twentieth century in an extraordinary setting, much like the one that inspired it.

Set beneath the vast skies of California's Anza-Borrego Desert, Art of Elan presents Olivier Messiaen's monumental From the Canyons to the Stars, performed by an Art of Elan chamber orchestra under the direction of Steven Schick, featuring pianist Conor Hanick and percussionists Fiona Digney and Andrew Watkins.

Written in response to the awe-inspiring landscapes of the American Southwest, Messiaen's epic 90-minute work is a celebration of nature, birdsong, geology, color, and the cosmos. Rarely performed due to its scale, complexity, and unusual instrumentation, From the Canyons to the Stars is widely regarded as one of the composer's greatest achievements and one of the most visionary works in the orchestral repertoire.

This is an outdoor performance. Guests are encouraged to dress comfortably for desert conditions and arrive ready for an immersive musical experience unlike any other. As daylight fades and the desert sky transforms overhead, concertgoers will encounter this extraordinary work in an even more extraordinary setting.

Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime evening where music, nature, and community converge beneath the stars.