New York Philharmonic remembers French genius

Among the great modern composers, Olivier Messiaen wrote from an especially intense worldview - he was a devout Catholic, found inspiration in the songs of birds and perceived colors in musical harmonies.

The New York Philharmonic is looking to explore the range of the French master, from his celebrated works to the more obscure, with a week of Messiaen that opened on Monday.

While there is no obvious anniversary for Messiaen, who lived from 1908 to 1992, the philharmonic's outgoing music director Alan Gilbert has described the composer as a personal hero for his ability to reach a spiritual dimension.