Messiaen: Transcending Time

Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992), one of the most
prolific composers of the 20th Century, was a devout
Catholic whose compositions were very often inspired
by the ideals of his faith. A theme that recurrs
often in his works is music''s relationship to time,
and the linear nature of the passage of time as
human beings comprehend it. It is Messiaen''s ideal
to write music that aspires to reach a divine level,
free from human constraints. The most important of
these constraints is time, music being dependant on
the linear passage of time. By using a variety of
techniques, Messiaen tries to alter the linear
nature of time, thus reaching Divinity on a symbolic
level. This book discusses the reasons for
Messiaen''s attitude towards time in music. It also
gives a thorough analyses of two major works,
the "Visions de l''Amen" and the "Vingt Regards sur
l''Enfant Jesus", as examples of Messiaen''s
techniques for approaching time in music.

Auteur
Mareli Stolp completed her Bachelor of Music (2002) and Master of Music (2006)degrees at the University of Pretoria. Between 2003-2006, she completed a second Bachelor of Music degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Mareli Stolp is currently active as a teacher, researcher and chamber musician in South Africa.

Texte du rabat
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992), one of the most prolific composers of the 20th Century, was a devout Catholic whose compositions were very often inspired by the ideals of his faith. A theme that recurrs often in his works is music's relationship to time, and the linear nature of the passage of time as human beings comprehend it. It is Messiaen's ideal to write music that aspires to reach a divine level, free from human constraints. The most important of these constraints is time, music being dependant on the linear passage of time. By using a variety of techniques, Messiaen tries to alter the linear nature of time, thus reaching Divinity on a symbolic level. This book discusses the reasons for Messiaen's attitude towards time in music. It also gives a thorough analyses of two major works, the "Visions de l'Amen" and the "Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant Jesus", as examples of Messiaen's techniques for approaching time in music.