Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992) was a French composer, organist and ornithologist, one of the major composers of the 20th century. His music is rhythmically complex (he was interested in rhythms from ancient Greek and from Hindu sources); harmonically and melodically it is based on modes of limited transposition, which he abstracted from his early compositions and improvisations.
Many of his compositions depict what he termed "the marvellous aspects of the faith", and drew on his deeply held Roman Catholicism.
He travelled widely and wrote works inspired by diverse influences such as Japanese music, the landscape of Bryce Canyon in Utah and the life of St. Francis of Assisi. He said he perceived colours when he heard certain musical chords, particularly those built from his modes (a phenomenon known as synaesthesia); combinations of these colours, he said, were important in his compositional process.
Compositions by Olivier Messiaen appear on
Perth Concert Hall: Ronald Sharp organ
Jangoo Chapkhana performs on the Perth Concert Hall organ that was built by Australian organ builder Ronald Sharp. The program includes a wide variety of works by Buxtehude, Sweelinck, Bach, Messaen and others. There is also 10 minute Variation on Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring composed by the organist.
Composer
The Messiaen Nexus
This unique disc presents an extraordinary insight into the intellectual and creative talent that arose from a particularly fertile period in the history of the Paris Conservatoire. Centred around legendary composer Oliver Messiaen, this eclectic mix of works for violin and piano highlights the influence of Messiaen on his students György Kurtág, George Benjamin and Pierre Boulez and also considers the influence on Messiaen by his teacher, Paul Dukas.
Composer
North of the Yarra - Organs of Melbourne
Gordon Atkinson plays seven of Melbourne's finest organs, including the giant organ in the Melbourne Town Hall, the organs of St. Patrick's Cathedral, The Scots' Church, St. Paul's Cathedral and St. Mary's Star of the Sea church, West Melbourne.
Composer
Preludes and Sonata of Messiaen and Shostakovich
Michael Kieran Harvey, piano. Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) and Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) were two of the greatest composers of the twentieth century. Both were remarkable in that they discovered their own unique and distinctive creative voice when they were in their teens.
Composer
Catalogue d'oiseaux
Virtuoso pianist Michael Kieran Harvey's dazzling pianistic pyrotechnics are displayed to the full in this amazing live performance recorded in Hobart in April 2005. Each of the 13 pieces in the Catalogue d'oiseaux (Catalogue of birds) explores the calls and environment of a single bird species.
Composer
The Star of the Sea
A superb programme of Italian and French organ favourites designed to exploit all the resources of this justly famous Grandfather Fincham organ in St. Mary's Star-of-the-Sea, West Melbourne.
Composer
Mistika
Composer and keyboardist Linda Ceff presents an album of past and present inspirations juxtaposed against her own fascinating contemporary compositions.
Composer
A Recital of organ music from St. Paul's Cathedral Melbourne
The works selected for this recording represent a variety of styles in organ music over a period of some eighty years. Three of the works come from the latter half of the nineteenth century, whilst the remaining three were written in the first half of the twentieth century.
