|
During 2008 every one of Messiaen's works were played in this country, even incomplete fragments. No longer can anyone doubt Messiaen's importance and his influence on modern music.
Many books have been published this year to meet demand for information about the composer. When first published in 1975, this book was an instant success. Messiaen was still alive, and there was very little else available about him. Robert Sherlaw-Johnson was a well known pianist, so it had a huge influence on British musicians, which lasts to this day. British organists, for example, are among Messiaen's most avid fans.
This book remains a classic because some of it has not been surpassed by modern scholarship. The chapter on Catalogue d'oiseaux is outstanding. There are no less than sixteen pages of detailed diagrams showing how the different types of birdsong develop and connect in the music. There's no more comprehensive analysis, anywhere.
Sherlaw Johnson is also very good on other aspects of Messiaen's work. His study of Sept Haïkaï with three pages of charts, is impressive. One of the appendices is a table of 120 deçi-tâlas, the Indian rhythms so fundamental to understanding Messiaen's innovative approach to sound structure. It's an indispensable read in relation to the chapter on rhythm.
This is an extremely useful reference work, to be consulted on points of detail. As a general work on the composer, though, it's somewhat dated. Sherlaw Johnson died years before Messiaen died, so the composer's last years, are covered only in brief summary. Since the late music is so important, and so significant, it really does need more coverage than it gets here. Similarly, more recent writings, particularly about the The Quartet for the End of Time are more illuminating.
For a good, balanced approach to Messiaen's work, look for The Messiaen Companion edited by Peter Hill (another British pianist and student of the composer). It was out of stock for years and commanded ludicrous prices second hand. Luckily, it's been re-issued this year in paperback for under £20. Also worth getting is the reissue of Paul Griffiths's Olivier Messiaen and the Music of Time excellent, stimulating and also under £20
Peter Hill and Nigel Simeone have also written the best biography. There's also an excellent video by Olivier Mille, entitled The Crystal Liturgy. The DVD has spectacular shots , particularly of Bryce Canyon, which inspired From the Canyons to the Stars Since so much of Messiaen's work has visual connotations, approaching his music through film is ideal.
 |
more 