Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen was born in Avignon on 10 December 1908 to rise steadily to a unique position in world music, as an organist and improvisor, a teacher, and composer of startling originality. His music was a distillation of many elements powerful to his sense of creativity - rhythmic subtleties derived from early music, birdsong, liturgical modes, all as unique to Messiaen's style as the rhythmic elaborations which were partially based on ancient usage. The world's inheritance from Messiaen, who lived until 27 April 1992, will take position as a unique chapter in the 20th century's contribution to artistic progress.
A selection of M&V articles about Olivier Messiaen
CD Spotlight. Mice in the Manger - A selection of Christmas music, enjoyed by George Balcombe. '... an amazing collection.'
Ensemble. A Fascinating Anthology - Music on the theme of angels, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Jaw-Dropping Technique - Sharon Bezaly plays Gubaidulina, Beamish and Takano, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... a beautiful tone at any volume in any octave ...'
Ensemble. Exceptional Gifts - Lawrence Budmen reports from the 2009 Miami International Piano Festival
Ensemble. Lucidity and Conviction - Karis Stretton plays Messiaen, impressing Mike Wheeler
Record Box. Flawless Ensemble - Music by Messiaen, recommended by Patric Standford
Youthful Freshness - Gareth Green gives the final organ recital in Derby Cathedral's summer series, and Mike Wheeler was in the audience
Dynamic Extremes - Mike Wheeler enjoys Timothy Noon's recital of Bach, Bohm, Dubois, Messiaen and Widor
An Interesting Programme - An organ recital by Martin Neary, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Lucid Messiaen - Cathy Lamb at the organ, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Four Heroes - Mike Wheeler enjoys a multi-player organ recital
Extraordinary Clarity - Naji Hakim begins the Derby Cathedral summer organ recital series, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
An Enviable Technique - Matthew Schellhorn's Wigmore Hall début recital, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Chopin in the Boondocks - Stephen De Pledge returns to New Zealand, by Howard Smith
Richness and Clarity - Ashley Grote opens Derby Cathedral's series of summer organ recitals, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Interval Talk - Alistair Hinton comments on Patric Standford's recent 'Provocative Thoughts'
Ensemble. Silvery Tone - A recital by Serena Leader and Gordon Back, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
'Shooting the Pianist'! - The eerie case of a South-American pianistic 'revenant', by Malcolm Troup
Ensemble. Three Premières - Malcolm Miller applauds the latest concert of music by Julian Dawes
Stylistic Variety - Passiontide music sung by the Derwent Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Giants? - Alistair Hinton replies to Patric Standford's latest Provocative Thoughts
CD Spotlight. A voice to cherish - Dawn Upshaw sings Messiaen, Debussy, Golijov and Fauré, recommended by David Wilkins. '... a great disc!'
CD Spotlight. This is music - Listening to Japanese composer Akio Yashiro, by Keith Bramich. '... good performances and a clear recording.'
CD Spotlight. A palpable reality - Gillian Weir plays Messiaen, and Robert Anderson is thrilled. '... exciting fidelity ...'
Distinction and imagination - Malcolm Miller attended a recent concert by violinist Grigory Zhislin
Japanese tone painting - Takemitsu, Schumann and Musorgsky. Malcolm Miller at a recent recital by Noriko Ogawa
|
