Olivier Messiaen's Turangalîla-symphonie / Andrew Shenton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shenton, Andrew, 1962- author.

Series:

Cambridge elements. Elements in music since 1945, 2632-7791.

Cambridge elements. Elements in music since 1945, 2632-7791

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Messiaen, Olivier, 1908-1992--Criticism and interpretation.

Messiaen, Olivier.

Music--20th century--History and criticism.

Music.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (85 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2023.

Summary:

As one of only a few pieces not primarily inspired by Messiaen's Catholic faith, but by human love as described in the romance of Tristan and Isolde and elsewhere, the Turangalîla-symphonie is contextualized in Messiaen's oeuvre and as a genre piece. Using previously untranslated information from Messiaen's own description of the work in his Traité, close analysis of the music seeks to demystify some of the complex innovations he made to his musical language, especially in the areas of rhythm and orchestration. This Element pays special attention to the fragmentary and elusive program which is explained with reference to Messiaen's fascination with surrealism at this time. Information is included on the commission and composition of the piece, its premiere by the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein, its revision by Messiaen in 1990, and its reception history in both live and recorded performances.

Contents:

Cover

Title page

Copyright page

Olivier Messiaen's Turangalîla-symphonie

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Context, Commission, Composition, and Premiere

The Commission and Composition

The Meaning of Turangalîla

The Meaning of symphonie

The Trois Tâla

The Premiere and Initial Reception

3 Messiaen's Musical Style

Faith and Love

Birdsong

Modes of Limited Transposition and Harmony

Rhythm

Color

Orchestration

The Gamelan Group

The Piano

The Ondes Martenot

4 The Tristan Trilogy and the Extramusical Program

Messiaen the Surrealist

Harawi

Cinq rechants

Programmatic Elements in Turangalîla

A - Myths and Symbols of Love

1. The legend of Tristan and Isolde

2. Orpheus and Eurydice

3. Bluebeard

4. Medusa on Perseus's arm

5. Vivien and Merlin

6. Pelléas and Mélisande

7. Romeo and Juliet

8. Folklore of the Cape Verde Islands

9. Hindu Asuras

B - Literary Sources

C - Visual Sources

5 Analysis and Explanation of the Turangalîla-symphonie

Four Cyclical Themes

1. The statue theme

2. The flower theme

3. The love theme

4. The chord theme

Analysis by Movement

Movement 1 - Introduction [Introduction] (modéré, un peu vif [moderately, somewhat lively])

Movement 2 - Chant d'amour I [Love song 1] (modéré, lourd [moderately, heavy])

Movement 3 - Turangalîla I [Turangalîla 1] (presque lent, rêveur [almost slow, dreamily])

Movement 4 - Chant d'amour II [Love song 2] (bienmodéré [wellmoderated])

Movement 5 - Joie du sang des étoiles [Joy of the Blood of the Stars] (Vif, passionné avec joie [fast, passionate, with joy])

Movement 6 - Jardin du sommeil d'amour [Garden of love's sleep] (trèsmodéré, très tendre [very moderate, very tender]).

Movement 7 - Turangalîla II [Turangalîla 2] (un peu vif, bien modéré [a little lively, well moderated])

Movement 8 - Développement de l'amour [Development of love] (bienmodéré [well moderated])

A) Introduction

B) Grand development

C) Coda

Movement 9 - Turangalîla III [Turangalîla 3] (bien modéré [well moderated])

Movement 10 - Final [Finale] (modéré, presque vif, avec une grande joie [moderate, almost lively, with great joy])

6 1990 Revisions to the Score

7 Reception History and Interpretation

A Definitive Recording

Visual Accompaniment and Ballet Versions

Use in Film

8 Concluding Remarks

References

Acknowledgments

Permissions.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 13 Sep 2023).

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9781009204927

1009204920

9781009204934

1009204939

9781009165723

1009165720