Messiaen Cententary Day

Messiaen Day
The University of Edinburgh, ecat and the RSAMD celebrate the centenary of Olivier Messiaen.

Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was one of the crucial figures of 20th Century European art music.  As organist of the Sainte-Trinité in Paris, he continued the historical traditions of religious composition and organ improvisation.  At the same time he developed a unique harmonic and rhythmic language, based on bird-song and the rhythms of non-western musics, which transformed musical expression and left its mark even on the most avant-garde of the young, post-war generation of composers.  This study day celebrates the centenary of his birth with talks and workshops from distinguished experts, and includes performances of some of his most important works.