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Topic: Messiaen for beginners? (Read 4730 times)

drkilroy

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Full Member
Posts: 222

Messiaen for beginners?

on: March 04, 2012, 12:46:47 PM

Hello,

I recently started to listen to Messiaen's pieces. I would like to ask if you can recommend me any Messiaen starting pieces? I can play his Le Banquet Celeste for solo organ, if it helps.

I know that no Messiaen works are easy. I just want to learn something that will introduce me to his ouevre.

Thank you in advance.

Best regards, Dr

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birba

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Posts: 3725

Re: Messiaen for beginners?

Reply #1 on: March 04, 2012, 02:11:05 PM

His early preludes are exquisite and not that difficult. However, it's young Messiaen, and the language is totally different from his later works. There are some of his Vingt regards that are not difficult and, to me, represent some of the greatest piano works of the 20th century. Regarde de la Vierge, Noel, Regarde des Bergers are a few that are accessible to someone who's played Le Banquet Celeste. Also the Ile de Feu 1 is short and reveals his "nature" side.

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drkilroy

PS Silver Member
Full Member
Posts: 222

Re: Messiaen for beginners?

Reply #2 on: March 04, 2012, 02:23:09 PM

Thank you very much! I will try out the pieces you recommended.

Best regards, Dr

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HASTINGS: Why don't you get yourself some turned down collars, Poirot? They're much more the thing, you know.
[...]
POIROT: The turned down collar is the first sign of decay of the grey cells!

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