Messiaen

[ianm]

Hey all,

I need to decide on a 20th century piece and have decided that I should play some Messiaen, as I've already played some of the other masters of the 20th century but I've never tackled Messiaen. I've looked through and listened to some of the Vingt Regards and I really like nos. 4, 11, 13, 15, and 19; and their difficulty seems about right for where I am right now. I was listening to his Catalogue d'Oiseaux (particularily the 2nd, but they are all amazing!), and was wondering if these pieces are significantly more difficult than the Vingt Regards? Also, I was wondering if there were any pieces of similar difficulty from his repertoire that you would recommend--or out of these which ones are your favourites, or you think would help my technical facility the most.

[ahinton]

Hey all,

I need to decide on a 20th century piece and have decided that I should play some Messiaen, as I've already played some of the other masters of the 20th century but I've never tackled Messiaen. I've looked through and listened to some of the Vingt Regards and I really like nos. 4, 11, 13, 15, and 19; and their difficulty seems about right for where I am right now. I was listening to his Catalogue d'Oiseaux (particularily the 2nd, but they are all amazing!), and was wondering if these pieces are significantly more difficult than the Vingt Regards? Also, I was wondering if there were any pieces of similar difficulty from his repertoire that you would recommend--or out of these which ones are your favourites, or you think would help my technical facility the most.

Well, although they're much earlier than either, don't neglect the Huit Préludes of 1929; very much formative pieces but at the same time unmistakably Messiaen.

Best,

Alistair

[ianm]

Well, although they're much earlier than either, don't neglect the Huit Préludes of 1929; very much formative pieces but at the same time unmistakably Messiaen.

Yes! I think I remember from a few years ago another student in my teacher's studio performed a few of the set. Do you (or anybody) have any thoughts on the difficulty of the pieces that I mentioned, or know the difficulty of the preludes in comparison. Sorry, I only have the music for Vingt Regards at the moment so I don't know the technical difficulty of the other pieces. I think listening wise my favourite piece so far that I've mentioned is the second movement of his Catalogue d'Oiseaux, "Le Loriot"--the delicate quick passages could really improve my technique (I think). But idk... thoughts?

Ian