Edited by Andrew Shenton, Boston University, USA
For Olivier Messiaen, music was a way of expressing his faith. He
considered it his good fortune to have been born a Catholic and declared
that 'the illumination of the theological truths of the Catholic faith
is the first aspect of my work, the noblest and no doubt the most
useful'. Messiaen is one of the most widely performed and recorded
composers of the twentieth-century and his popularity is increasing, but
the theological component of his music has so far largely been
neglected, or dealt with superficially, and continues to provide a
serious impediment to understanding and appreciating his music for some
of his audience. Messiaen the Theologian makes a significant
contribution to Messiaen studies by providing cultural and historical
context to Messiaen's theology.
An international array of Messiaen scholars cover a wide variety of
topics including Messiaen's personal spirituality, the context of
Catholicism in France in the twentieth century, and comparisons between
Messiaen and other artists such as Dante and T.S. Eliot.
Interdisciplinary methodologies such as exegesis, theological studies
and analysis are used to contribute to the understanding of several
major works including Éclairs sur l'au-delá..., Sept Haïkaï and Saint
François d'Assise.
By approaching Messiaen and his music from such important and original
perspectives, this book will be of interest not only to musicians and
theologians, but also to readers interested in the connection between
spirituality and the arts.
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Content )
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Introduction )
Illustrations: Includes 12 b&w illustrations and 21 musical examples
Published: April 2010
Format: 234 x 156 mm
Extent: 312 pages
Binding: Hardback
