On this day,
December 10, 1908
French composer, organist, and ornithologist
Olivier Eugène Prosper Charles Messiaen
was born
in Avignon, France
One of the major composers of the 20th century.
His music is rhythmically complex; harmonically and melodically he employs a system he called modes of limited transposition, which he abstracted from the systems of material generated by his early compositions and improvisations.
He wrote music for chamber ensembles and orchestra, vocal music, as well as for solo organ and piano, and also experimented with the use of novel electronic instruments developed in Europe during his lifetime.
❝ I give bird songs to those who dwell in cities and have never heard them, make rhythms for those who know only military marches or jazz, and paint colors for those who see none.❞
Olivier Messiaen
✽
We listen to
Turangalîla
Symphonie for piano, ondes martenot & orchestra
Susanna Mälkki
conducting the
Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
Roger Muraro, piano
Cynthia Millar, Ondes Martenot
I. Introduction: Modéré, un peu vif
II. Chant d’amour I: Modéré, lourd
III. Turangalîla I: Presque lent, rêveur
IV. Chant d’amour II: Bien modéré
V. Joie du sang des étoiles: Vif, passionné, avec joie
VI. Jardin du sommeil d’amour: Très modéré, très tendre
VII. Turangalîla II: Un peu vif, bien modéré
VIII. Développement de l’amour: Bien modéré
IX. Turangalîla III: Bien modéré
X. Finale: Modéré, presque vif, avec une grande joie
✽
“Turangalîla” means love song, hymn to joy, time, movement, rhythm, life and death, all at once.
[“Lîla” literally means play — but play in the sense of the divine action upon the cosmos, the play of creation, destruction, reconstruction, the play of life and death. “Lila” is also love. “Turanga”: this is the time that runs, like a galloping horse; this is time that flows, like sand in an hourglass. “Turanga” is movement and rhythm.]
✽
Here are works by Messiaen, Oannes has posted in his blog:
QUATUOR POUR LA FIN DU TEMPS
L’ ASCENSION, QUATRE MEDITATIONS SYMPHONIQUES – TRES LENT ET MAJESTUEUX
TURANGALILA SYMPHONY, 1st MOVEMENT: INTRODUCTION
✽
Marina Kanavaki 
I love Messiaen! His composition contemporary style changed my mind of contemporary pieces.
I can totally understand that! 🙂
I usually like to listen to him in early Spring, say a sunny day in March. The sound goes with the idea of ice breaking up! Does it freeze over near the shore where you are? 🤷🤷♀️🤷♂️🧩🤔❓
I suppose in some places in Greece it does. Not around here though… well, shores of Attiki [which I rarely visit these days! 😉 ]
I do understand however!
Attiki looks nice… Google images… 🙂
Attiki is the broader area surrounding Athens. 😉
Let’s get that time machine of mine going and take a trip! How’s a few thousand years back sound? Me, I could use a little enchantment these days! 😁 Admission free. Everyone welcome. ⌛🕐🕑🕒🕓🕔🕕🕖🕗🕘🕙🕚🕛⏳🙂
Ah, with you… on the longing for some enchantment! Also longing for this year to disintegrate. So I wouldn’t mind some time travel! 😉
Now now… we must live in the present! Oh, but I guess that sorta contradicts the notion of time travel! ♾️🙂
Well… one deciding to time travel would also be living in the present wouldn’t it?!!! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🙃
Hmm. But does one decide or does it just happen? 😂⏰🤣🙂
Ahm the press of the button is …in the moment, so to speak! 🤣😂
But you never press my buttons… you’re way too intelligent and considerate! (maybe drifting from fantasy to psychology here…) 😁🤡😆
😇😉 you are far too kind!!!! 😉
Wonderful another new name for me…. 🙂 We need more Woman with battons!!! 🙂 lol..
Love and Hugs Marina… 🙂 ❤
This music is so lovely!
I’m 45 minutes in, and time to make dinner!
I’ll listen to it in the kitchen, but I’ll comment now.
LOVE!
xoxoxooxoxoxoxowooxoxoxoxoxoxoof!
Ah, so happy you enjoyed it!
What’s cookin?! 😉
More love and hugs
🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗
Stuffed bell peppers, green and yellow, and Farinata!
Yum yum yum… I love stuffed veggies! 😋😋😋😋😋
🥂🎄🥂🥂🎄🥂🥂🎄🥂🥂🎄🥂
Big veggie feast tonight!
Bon Apetit!!!!!! 🍷🐾🎶
When I lived in Honduras in 1968–69 I bought a record of a work you’ve linked to, Messiaen’s “Quatuor pour la fin du temps,”
Brilliant work! You enjoyed?
It was the dramatic title that led me to buy the record. The music took some getting used to, being from the middle of the 20th century. I liked what I considered its strangeness but I can’t say I ever really learned to enjoy it.
I suppose the word ‘enjoy’ does come in variations and for that kind of music it’s certainly a different kind of ‘joy’, but I get what you’re saying! 😉
To me, Messiaen is best known for this piece of madness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcq-B2opVDk
Ah, yes but what great madness!!! 😉
I attended a concert and heard this. I was close enough to see the piano shake.
A ha ha haaaaa… no wonder!!!!!!!!!
But it was impressive to watch and hear the madness to close.
Oh, I’m sure!!!! 😉
Wonderful composer! His Quartet for the end of time is sublime and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the work to my A level students for a few years when it was a set work. For me though, Les Enfant De Dieu from La Nativite du Seigneur is the most brillant, beautiful and frightening work of his. To hear this in a cathedral is an awesome thing!
Oh, I bet it is ….in a cathedral! L’ Ascension is also one I really love! 😉 How interesting teaching Messiaen!!!!!
His techniques are fascinating!
Yes indeed!!!!
Wonderful Marina! xoxoxo
Ah, glad you enjoyed, Holly!!!
♥️😘♥️😘♥️😘♥️😘♥️
Always do! Wonderful picks dearest Marina. ❤️🌺🥰🧡
Hugs hugs hugs and so much love…all your way!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Beautiful Marina and I love the photo 💛 smiles hedy
Awww… thank you Hedy! Many many smiles and hugs to you!!! xoxoxo ❣️