Composer

:

Olivier Messiaen

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1987

Average_duration

:

9:00

"La Ville d'en haut, I/56" is a composition by Olivier Messiaen, a French composer, organist, and ornithologist. It was composed in 1964 and premiered on May 22, 1965, at the Festival d'Automne in Paris. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 25 minutes. The first movement, "Les Ressuscités et la lumière de Vie" (The Resurrected and the Light of Life), is characterized by its use of bright, shimmering harmonies and intricate rhythms. The music is meant to evoke the idea of resurrection and the joy of being reunited with loved ones in the afterlife. The movement features a prominent solo for the oboe, which represents the voice of the resurrected. The second movement, "Les Eaux de la grâce" (The Waters of Grace), is a slow, meditative piece that features a prominent solo for the cello. The music is meant to evoke the idea of baptism and the cleansing power of water. The movement is characterized by its use of long, sustained chords and delicate, intricate melodies. The final movement, "Le Sang de l'Agneau" (The Blood of the Lamb), is a fast, energetic piece that features a prominent solo for the trumpet. The music is meant to evoke the idea of sacrifice and the redemptive power of Christ's blood. The movement is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and driving, syncopated melodies. Overall, "La Ville d'en haut, I/56" is a powerful and deeply spiritual work that showcases Messiaen's unique style and innovative approach to composition. The piece is characterized by its use of complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and vivid imagery, and is considered one of Messiaen's most important works.

More....