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XI - La Buse variableXII - Le Traquet rieurXIII - Le Courlis cendre ... Read more

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Re-issued to coincide with the centenary of Messiaen's birth, The Messiaen Companion was the first major study to appear after the composer's death in April 1992. It was the first book to offer both a complete survey of Messiaen's extraordinary achievements and a comprehensive guide to his music, also examining in detail the enduring inspiration which Messiaen derived from his religious faith and from his lifelong passion for ornithology and the natural world. The contributors, all of whom have made a special study of the composer, include two biographers of Messiaen and a number of the foremost interpreters of his music. Messiaen's influential teaching is recalled in essays by three of his pupils (Pierre Boulez, George Benjamin, and Peter Hill), and the composer is also remembered in a remarkable and moving contribution from his widow and devoted musical companion, the pianist Yvonne Loriod. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Nice collection on this 20th Century musical citadel
This is an incredibly usefull comprehensive collection of essays,reflections,analyses, and a few interviews. Messiaen was primarily a teacher, and he taught without hesitation the post-war generation ofcomposers and continued this until his death. Everyone flocked to hiscomposition classes in Paris. And it was considered an honour to beaccepted. Once there you were his,he probed what you as a creator needed.For instance when a young exiled architect came to his door seekinglessons, and a pathway confessing he (Xenakis) did not have any knowledgeof counterpoint or harmony, Messiaen said "don't study any ofthese", meaning Xenakis had enough reserve and imagination from hisaffinities for numbers and forms to write the most original music we haveheard. This touches all the musical categories, and Messiaen contributed toeach. He virtually rethought the limitations of the pipe organ. Long amorose encumbered instrument loaded with historical baggage. John Milsomhere exposes Messiaen's unique contributions to registral settings andMessiaen's conceptual focus of the Catholic spirituality in this organrepertoire. Likewise Peter Hill takes on the neglected piano solo music,again another focus of innovation for this century. Boulez's early pianosonatas would not be possible without Messiaen's affinity for the violenceand surreal beauty that can be part of piano sonority. Other importantMessiaenism concepts are of course Colour, and Birdsongs,Mysticism andTheology. All amply handled by Jonathan Bernard(colour) and seasoned writerWilfred Millers on Theology, a difficult subject when a creator's life isengaged. Paul Griffiths brings us up to date with an essay on Messiaen'slast important work the opera "St.Francis of Assisi", which isnow seeing the productions rounds. There is obvious inclusions here as wellan excellent discography and list of works. Nice vintage photographs aswell are included. ... Read more

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We are pleased to announce more titles in the ongoing Universal Edition Study Score Series, which has grown from its original 20 titles to now 42. Each score is larger and clearer than the previous edition, and all are handsomely bound in uniform covers. The Series represents the most significant works of the 20th century in the Universal Edition catalog and, indeed, of the music world. ... Read more

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A marvel of a work for organ by Messiaen. ... Read more