Olivier Messiaen

Traite de Rythme, de Couleur et D'Ornithologie

Part of the Treatise on rhythm, colour and ornithology written in French by Olivier Messiaen, this third volume talks about symmetric permutations, the 'out of tempo' and analyses'Four rhythm studies', the 'Organ Book', 'Time-colour' for Orchestra, 'Amen visions' for two Pianos and 'Harawi for Piano and Voice. This treatise depicts the full theory behind Messiaen's compositions and how he composed music, including his conception of rhythms, hisincorporation of birdsong and his relation to sound and colours. While most of the composers struggle to explain their composition, Messiaen has managed to write a Treatise in 7 volumes to explain all the important aspects of his work. Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was a French organist and composer passionate about Ornithology and one of the most important composers of his century. Inspired by Japanese music, he had a very special way of composingand his work can be identified by its complexity, its diatonic aspect, its harmony with limited transposition, its colour and its additive rhythms. He composed many works related to ornithology and birdsong, including the 'BirdCatalogue' in 7 volumes.