
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
✽

I love Messiaen! His composition contemporary style changed my mind of contemporary pieces.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can totally understand that! 🙂
LikeLike
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? 🤷🤷♀️🤷♂️🧩🤔❓
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Attiki looks nice… Google images… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Attiki is the broader area surrounding Athens. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. ⌛🕐🕑🕒🕓🕔🕕🕖🕗🕘🕙🕚🕛⏳🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, with you… on the longing for some enchantment! Also longing for this year to disintegrate. So I wouldn’t mind some time travel! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now now… we must live in the present! Oh, but I guess that sorta contradicts the notion of time travel! ♾️🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well… one deciding to time travel would also be living in the present wouldn’t it?!!! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🙃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm. But does one decide or does it just happen? 😂⏰🤣🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahm the press of the button is …in the moment, so to speak! 🤣😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
But you never press my buttons… you’re way too intelligent and considerate! (maybe drifting from fantasy to psychology here…) 😁🤡😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
😇😉 you are far too kind!!!! 😉
LikeLike
Wonderful another new name for me…. 🙂 We need more Woman with battons!!! 🙂 lol..
Love and Hugs Marina… 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, so happy you enjoyed it!
What’s cookin?! 😉
More love and hugs
🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗♥️🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stuffed bell peppers, green and yellow, and Farinata!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yum yum yum… I love stuffed veggies! 😋😋😋😋😋
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥂🎄🥂🥂🎄🥂🥂🎄🥂🥂🎄🥂
Big veggie feast tonight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bon Apetit!!!!!! 🍷🐾🎶
LikeLiked by 1 person
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,”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant work! You enjoyed?
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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! 😉
LikeLike
To me, Messiaen is best known for this piece of madness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcq-B2opVDk
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, yes but what great madness!!! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I attended a concert and heard this. I was close enough to see the piano shake.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A ha ha haaaaa… no wonder!!!!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
But it was impressive to watch and hear the madness to close.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’m sure!!!! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I bet it is ….in a cathedral! L’ Ascension is also one I really love! 😉 How interesting teaching Messiaen!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
His techniques are fascinating!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful Marina! xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, glad you enjoyed, Holly!!!
♥️😘♥️😘♥️😘♥️😘♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always do! Wonderful picks dearest Marina. ❤️🌺🥰🧡
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugs hugs hugs and so much love…all your way!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful Marina and I love the photo 💛 smiles hedy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww… thank you Hedy! Many many smiles and hugs to you!!! xoxoxo ❣️
LikeLike