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Charm and Simplicity: Messiaen's final works

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 January 2016

Extract

Oliver Messiaen is a classically–minded composer with a strong affinity to Mozart, Rameau and Scarlatti. His often intimate music is full of irrepressible charm and frequently betrays a whimsical sense of humour. Simplicity of expression is Messiaen's overwhelming trait and while he has composed on a large scale, he has a penchant for miniatures …

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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References

1 In conversation withHill,Peter – ed.Hill,Peter:The Messiaen Companion, (London:Faber,1995), p.301Google Scholar.

3 ‘Illuminations of the Beyond’ – Éclairs literally means lightning flashes.

4 ‘A smile’.

5 He also composed a three minute miniature calledPièce pour piano et quatuor à cordes for the ninetieth birthday of Alfred Schlee (head of Universal Edition).

6 ‘Abide in Love…’.

7 ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes…’.

8 In the programme booklet for the world première.

9 See Revelation, 21:2.