Birdsong in the Music of Olivier Messiaen, Paperback

In this book, Dr David Kraft surveys and evaluates Messiaen's use of birdsong and formulates a chronological and critical taxonomy of his music, covering the species involved and his evolving methods of manipulation, instrumentation and harmonic incorporation. He also explores issues relating to authenticity and modification with respect to the incorporation of birdsong in Messiaen's music. Further, he develops appropriate graphical and tabular methods in order to help the reader better to understand his music. This book is essential reading for those who love Messiaen's music. It is also a useful handbook for those studying at GCSE, A level, degree and postgraduate level. I hope that you enjoy reading this book, and trust that you will continue to enjoy the unique sound world of Olivier Messiaen.

About the Author:

David Kraft (PhD) is a psychotherapist and runs a successful private practice in London. David was brought up listening to classical music and, at a very early age, he mostly enjoyed listening to Classical and Baroque music. As a child, he went to the opera and to many classical concerts with his parents and brother, Chris. When he went to Mill Hill School, age 13, he had only just started to listen to music from the Romantic period and some pop music, and was opposed to modern classical music, particularly works from the 20th Century repertoire. However, it was his music teacher, Alfred Champniss, who introduced him to the music of Olivier Messiaen. David fell in love with this unique sound-its colours, textures and sonorities-and he played Messiaen's music every day at school. He also listened to the Messiaen's music with his school friends-Matthew Biggs and Nicholas Watkins. Later, he began to write his own music which was heavily influenced by Messiaen's modes of limited transposition. But Messiaen also opened up a new world of modern music and, very soon, he began to listen to other modern-day composers, his favourites being: Pierre Boulez, Oliver Knussen, Henri Dutilleux, Alban Berg and Frank Zappa. Nowadays, he has a very eclectic taste and listens to a range of musical styles from different countries-particularly from Thailand, Germany and Egypt-as well as jazz, pop music from the 1920s to the present day, electronic classical music, blues and heavy metal. David continues to play classical music, although he has now focussed his attention on his career in psychotherapy.