I had the honor of meeting composer Olivier Messiaen several times, and even of attending one of his musical analysis classes, devoted to the Rite of the Spring by Igor Stravinsky. I have very often listened – and sometimes performed – his works. I created this page to share some pictures and recordings.

Photo Album

Book inscribed by Olivier Messiaen and Yvonne Loriod after a concert at the Marc Chagall Museum in Nice (11 June 1974). They had performed the “Visions de l’Amen” for two pianos.

Some views of the auditorium of the Marc Chagall Museum (taken in 2001 at another concert).

Some pictures of Olivier Messiaen

Booklet of the Mass celebrated on 14 May 1992 following Olivier Messiaen’s death

Recordings

Saint-François d’Assise

Live radio broadcast of the premiere of the opéra in 1983 by José van Dam, Christiane Eda-Pierre, the Chœurs et l'Orchestre du Théâtre national de l'Opéra de Paris directed by Seiji Ozawa; recorded with Dolby C noise reduction on five audio cassette sides. There are short interruptions of the recording between sides.

Concert des 80 ans

Live radio broadcast in 1988 for Messiaen's 80th birthday, recorded with Dolby C noise reduction.

1. Sept Haïkaï

By Yvonne Loriod and the Ensemble Intercontemporain directed by Pierre Boulez

2. Couleurs de la Cité céleste

By Yvonne Loriod and the Ensemble Intercontemporain directed by Pierre Boulez

3. Preludes 7 & 8

By Yvonne Loriod

4. Un vitrail et des oiseaux

By Yvonne Loriod and the Ensemble Intercontemporain directed by Pierre Boulez

5. Oiseaux exotiques

By Yvonne Loriod and the Ensemble Intercontemporain directed by Pierre Boulez

Les Offrandes oubliées

Midi Sequence recorded on a keyboard by Louis Sauter and synthesized with Avid Sibelius.

Videos

Quatuor pour la fin du temps

Orchestration of the Intermède by Louis Sauter

Variation pour la fin du temps

Composition by Louis Sauter as a homage to Olivier Messiaen.

Links

• Wikipedia (in French)

• Wikipedia (in English)

• Famous People