Composer

:

Olivier Messiaen

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1930

Average_duration

:

6:54

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Olivier Messiaen's 'Mélodies (3), I/4' is a set of three songs composed in 1930. The premiere of the work took place on May 22, 1931, in Paris, France. The three movements of the work are titled 'La mort du nombre,' 'La voix du silence,' and 'L'escalier redit, gestes du soleil.' The first movement, 'La mort du nombre,' is a setting of a poem by Paul Éluard. The text explores the idea of the death of numbers and the birth of music. Messiaen's music reflects this idea through the use of irregular rhythms and dissonant harmonies. The vocal line is often angular and fragmented, with sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo. The second movement, 'La voix du silence,' sets a text by Messiaen himself. The poem describes the experience of hearing the voice of silence, which is both peaceful and terrifying. The music is characterized by long, sustained chords and a sense of stillness. The vocal line is often in unison with the piano, creating a sense of unity between the two instruments. The final movement, 'L'escalier redit, gestes du soleil,' is a setting of a poem by Tristan Klingsor. The text describes the sun's journey up a staircase, with each step representing a different color. Messiaen's music reflects this idea through the use of bright, colorful harmonies and rhythmic patterns that suggest the movement of the sun. The vocal line is often virtuosic, with rapid runs and leaps that mirror the sun's ascent. Overall, 'Mélodies (3), I/4' is a complex and challenging work that showcases Messiaen's unique style. The use of irregular rhythms, dissonant harmonies, and unconventional vocal writing creates a sense of tension and unease, while the moments of stillness and unity between the voice and piano provide moments of beauty and transcendence.

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