Messiaen - Visions de l'Amen (I, IV, V)

[andhow04]

three movements from the great two-piano suite Visions de l'Amen, which Messiaen wrote for himself (piano 2) and his student, and future wife Yvonne Loriod (piano 1). this piece is a watershed moment in messiaen's composition, right after Quartet for End of Time, and had a celebrity-packed premiere in 1944.

I. Amen de la Creation

the first movement features the "Creation" theme in the second piano, over two "rhythmic pedals" in piano 1. these are repeating cycles of symmetrical rhythms, not in sync with each other, that are also imposed over a melodic pedal of three chords for each hand.

IV. Amen du Desir
the fourth movement features a beautiful melody, Theme of Desire, that is related in some ways to the Creation theme. it is decorated with some gorgeous arabesques in piano 1, reflecting messiaen's "modes of limited transposition." this movement also features the same rhythmic pedals as movement 1, but transformed into a percussive, primitivist tempo

V. Amen des Anges, des Saints, du chant des oiseaux
this complex movement has a lot of features, but the main one is the brilliant birdsong writing in the middle section, for piano 1. it is perhaps his first truly elaborate bird quotation. the Catalogue d'oiseaux would come in the 1950's and was written by and large for Yvonne Loriod.

enjoy !

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Thanks for this! Your playing is always really nice, and Messiaen is super evocative. I also saw your Petites esquisses d'oiseaux, which I want to learn at some point but his scores are pretty expensive. I find so much peace in this music and it's always a joy to listen to.

[andhow04]

Thanks for this! Your playing is always really nice, and Messiaen is super evocative. I also saw your Petites esquisses d'oiseaux, which I want to learn at some point but his scores are pretty expensive. I find so much peace in this music and it's always a joy to listen to.

thats kind of you thanks. I played Petites esquisses many years ago and it remains my favorite Messiaen, because they are just perfect in every way, in piano writing, in color, in structure, in length, it's just a superb set that many people do not seemt o know. so much more approachable than anything from the Catalogue, and no crazy bombast and quintiple forte's of Vingt Regards. it's much more concentrated and intimate

can you find it in the library?

the birdsong writing here in Visions, in the middle of the fifth movement, is similar to Petites esquisses but still a bit more complex with the rhythmic accompaniments.

thanks !

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can you find it in the library?

I'm really young but I'm not currently planning on studying music (though I am eyeing Oberlin because it's a good school with a great conservatory). I might be able to find it somewhere at my local university though.

the birdsong writing here in Visions, in the middle of the fifth movement, is similar to Petites esquisses but still a bit more complex with the rhythmic accompaniments.

I'll look out for it. Messiaen always leaves so many gems to be relished!