Your take on Messiaen

Mischa · #1 10-12-08, 07:43 AM

Now that it's Messiaen's 100th birthday: it's safe to say, that he was one of greatest personalities under the composers of the XXth century. I'm by no means an expert of his works, but I'm amazed of the development he made in his works being influenced by Indian music, ornithology, renaissance motets, colours and of course his mystical religious thoughts.

Needless to bombard you here with youtubes of Turangalîla, Quartet for the End of Time or the other well-known works, I'm just very interested in your take of Messiaen. What are your thoughts about his oeuvre? What is your musical vademecum there?
Though I listened to his works quite a lot, I have difficulties to appreciate it. But regarding the unique influence he had on all his students (from Boulez over Takemitsu to Nagano) I'm afraid I'm just missing the key here.

But since it's his day, here's the 2nd movement of his last (and unfinished) work Concert à quatre from 1990 (Fauré would love it!):
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY4v9WdVmGk"]YouTube - Messiaen - Concert Ã* quatre 2nd mouvement[/ame]

haydnguy · #2 10-12-08, 09:21 AM

Thanks for asking about this Mischa! I've been wondering about his work myself.

Alpha Centauri · #3 10-12-08, 11:24 AM

A barrier to his works, for me, is the devout Roman Catholicism which lies behind many of them. Of course I accept that this is something which clearly had a deep meaning to the composer himself - but as someone who doesn't share that faith, and is actually rather wary of it, I can't appreciate these works as maybe people do in France.

It's probably too soon to reach any objective assessment of his work, but he's clearly one of the most individual voices of the C20th - there are many of his works to which I listen regularly.

haydnguy · #4 11-12-08, 01:51 AM

That might be a decent concert to go to tonight with Boulez conducting. Phil and Flo????

Alpha Centauri · #5 11-12-08, 08:33 AM

I'm unimpressed by Boulez as a conductor. His recent series of Janacek performances have been very poor, and attracted understandably negative reviews.

haydnguy · #6 11-12-08, 08:55 AM

I've recently gotten several CD's of Boulez conducting Schoenberg pieces.

Herzeleide · #7 11-12-08, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mischa

What is your musical vademecum there?

Other than the two pieces you mention, these are my recommendations:

Florestan · #8 11-12-08, 08:41 PM

I am a bit bewildered by what I have heard of Messaien so far, to be honest.

Where should I begin if I were to try to get a better understanding of his work?

Herzeleide · #9 12-12-08, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florestan

I am a bit bewildered by what I have heard of Messaien so far, to be honest.

Where should I begin if I were to try to get a better understanding of his work?

Turangalila Symphony and the Quartet for the End of Time.

This is rather lovely and understandable on first listening (I hope!):

[ame="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv67YkOWJNA"]YouTube - Messiaen - TurangalÃ®la Symphonie - 5th Movt - Aimard, Davis[/ame]

Herzeleide · #10 12-12-08, 01:50 PM

[ame="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yX5pA3TVFsU&feature=related"]YouTube - Messiaen - a life in colour[/ame]

Why the hell do they feel the need to rake in a pop star to comment?

[ame="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8MG2eILPcJc&feature=related"]YouTube - Messiaen - a life in colour: part 2[/ame]

[ame="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iedSiq7WihE&feature=related"]YouTube - Messiaen - a life in colour: part 3[/ame]