What Make Messiaen so Difficult?

[traumeswirren]

Is it learning what's on the page? or technical difficulty?  or musical difficulty? or a combanation of all 3?

[pianopro181]

Is it learning what's on the page? or technical difficulty?  or musical difficulty? or a combanation of all 3?

It’s the complex rhythms and unique tonal language. Also the very big chords, huge dynamic contrasts, incorporation of themes and the ability to be able to memorize his music. Vingt Regards prime example. Very few have performed it without score. I believe Steven Osbourne is one of them.

[lelle]

It’s the complex rhythms and unique tonal language. Also the very big chords, huge dynamic contrasts, incorporation of themes and the ability to be able to memorize his music. Vingt Regards prime example. Very few have performed it without score. I believe Steven Osbourne is one of them.

This guy performed them from memory:

[lostinidlewonder]

Gosh most people would be glad when that performance is over lol.

[quantum]

This guy performed them from memory:

It's a fantastic performance of exceptional music.  He takes a very lyrical approach filled with musical sensitivity.  Thunderous when it needs to be without being harsh, and whispering without loosing tonal support.

[felixblumenfeld]

Messiaen's wife, Yvonne Loriod, played the work from memory.

[symphonicdance]

Yes, mentally, physically, technically and musically challenging.  A lot more difficult if the player doesn't have good ears and judgment on sound, or if he hate birds 

[lelle]

It's a fantastic performance of exceptional music.  He takes a very lyrical approach filled with musical sensitivity.  Thunderous when it needs to be without being harsh, and whispering without loosing tonal support.

I was there. It was pretty damn cool to be honest.

[thorn]

Messiaen's wife, Yvonne Loriod, played the work from memory.

As far as I know only three of these are on YouTube, one of which has Messiaen himself in it (though I imagine he was somewhere in the background of the others too)

In answer to the original question, Loriod herself is one reason his works are difficult. Messiaen is quoted as saying ‘I could allow myself the greatest eccentricities because to her anything is possible. I knew I could invent very difficult, very extraordinary, and very new things: they would be played, and played well.’