[Messiaen’s Piano Works] Exquisite gems born from an extraordinary sense of color
Olivier Messiaen, born in 1908 in Avignon, France, was active as a composer, organist, pianist, and music educator.
He also had facets of a theologian and an ornithologist, and his extraordinary passion for birds is vividly reflected in his works.
Moreover, he possessed synesthesia—the ability to associate sounds with colors and patterns—and is said to have completed his pieces by writing those associations directly into the score in his distinctive style.
In this article, we introduce some of Messiaen’s works that are frequently performed, focusing on solo piano pieces and compositions that include piano.
- [Mompou’s Piano Pieces] Introducing soothing masterpieces by a shy composer
- A gem of a masterpiece by the composer of the piano suite Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky.
- Séverac’s Piano Pieces: Masterworks by the Genius Composer Recognized by Debussy
- [Poulenc’s Piano Works] A Curated Selection of Masterpieces by a Composer of Esprit
- Chabrier’s Piano Pieces: Gemlike Masterworks Forged by the Esprit of French Music
- Piano Pieces by Lully: Masterworks by a Composer Favored by the King of France
- [Szymanowski’s Piano Works] Masterpieces Left by a Composer Who Lived Through Turbulent Times
- Dohnányi’s Piano Works: A Comprehensive Introduction to Masterpieces by the Hungarian Prodigy
- Piano Pieces by Ibert: Gem-like Masterworks by a 20th-Century French Composer
- [Fauré] Lower Difficulty! Recommended Piano Pieces by a Master of French Music
- Dutilleux’s Piano Works: Masterpieces by a Leading French Composer of the Late 20th Century
- [Moszkowski’s Piano Pieces] Gem-like masterpieces that also help improve technique
- Satie’s Piano Pieces | Fleetingly Beautiful Works by Music’s Maverick
[Messiaen’s Piano Works] Gem-like pieces born from an exceptional sense of color (11–20)
Bird Catalog, Volume 7, No. 13: “Eurasian Curlew”Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen, known for his mystical and richly colored style.
His representative piano work, Catalogue d’oiseaux, consists of 13 pieces that transcribe birdsongs from various regions of France and weave them together with his unique musical language.
Among them, Book 7, No.
13, “The Eurasian Curlew,” brilliantly depicts the solitary call of this bird, which inhabits the coast of Brittany, and the stark beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Its complex rhythms and harmonies and its rich sonorities convey a profound reverence for God and a deep love of nature.
Why not experience the composer’s spirituality through the performance of a sensitive pianist?
In conclusion
For those accustomed to tonal music, Messiaen’s works, which lack a sense of tonality, may sound extremely difficult to grasp. Yet many listeners find themselves increasingly drawn in the more they listen, captivated by a mysterious sonic world that expresses nature and the divinity of Christ. To experience Messiaen’s worldview more deeply, why not try performing his music yourself?