MESSIAEN, Oliver
b Avignon, 10 December 1908

d Clichy, Haut-de-Seine, 27 April 1992, aged eighty-four

His father was a professor of literature, his mother a poetess. He began to teach himself piano and composition at the age of eight, and at eleven entered the Paris Conservatory, staying there for eleven years and winning many prizes. In 1931 he became organist at the Trinite, Paris, and held that post for twenty years. In 1936 he helped to found the Jeune France group of young French avant-garde composers, and also became professor at the Ecole Normale. He served with the French forces during World War II and was made a prisoner-of war. After repatriation in 1942 he became professor of harmony at the Paris Conservatory. His work is much influenced by his strong Catholic beliefs.

1928 (20)

Fugue in D minor for orchestra

Le Banquet eucharistique, for orchestra (unpublished)

Le Banquet céleste, for organ

1929 (21)

Préludes, for piano

1930 (22)

Simple chant d'une ame

Les Offrandes oubliées, for orchestra

Diptyque, for organ

1931 (23)

Le Tombeau resplendissant, for orchestra

1932 (24)

Hymne au Saint Sacrement, for orchestra

Fantaisie burlesque, for piano

Apparition de l'Eglise éternelle, for organ

1933 (25)

L'Ascension, for organ

Mass for eight sopranos and four violins

1935 (27)

La nativité du Seigneur, nine meditations for organ

1937 (29)

Poemes pour mi, for voice and orchestra

1939 (31)

Les corps glorieux, for organ

1941 (33)

Quatuor pour la fin du temps, for violin, clarinet, cello and piano

1943 (35)

Visions de l'Amen, for two pianos

Rondeau, for piano

1944 (36)

Vingt regards sur l'enfant Jésus, for piano

1947 (39)

Turangalila, symphony for orchestra, piano and Ondes Martenot

1950 (42)

Le merle noir, for piano and flute

Messe de la Pentecote

1953 (45)

Reveil des oiseaux, for piano and orchestra

1956 (48)

Oiseaux exotiques, for piano, wind instruments and percussion

1960 (52)

Chronochromie, for orchestra

1963 (55)

Sept Hai-Kai, for orchestra

1964 (56)

Couleurs de la cité céleste, for orchestra

1965 (57)

La Transfiguration de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, for chorus and orchestra (1965-9)

Méditations sur le mystere de la Sainte Trinité, for organ

1970-4 (62-6)

Des canyons aux etoiles, for piano, horn and orchestra

1971 (63)

Le tombeau de Jean-Pierre Guezec, for horn and tape

1972 (64)

La fauvette des jardins, for piano

1974-83 (64-75)

Saint Francois d'Assise, opera