Olivier Messiaen - The Crystal Liturgy Review

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Olivier Messiaen - The Crystal Liturgy ReviewThere have been plenty of books devoted to the legendary French composer Olivier Messiaen, but not much in the way of films, outside of a 1985 episode of The South Bank Show and the 1988 film "Messiaen at 80," both of which are virtually impossible to see. Happily, a new documentary by Olivier Mille, titled "The Crystal Liturgy: A Portrait of Olivier Messian," is now available on DVD. Mille has organized a wealth of archival footage of the composer, plus filmed interviews with Messiaen's colleagues and former students, into a fascinating and inspiring narrative mosaic. While the film doesn't dig too deeply into personal details of Messiaen's life--presenting only those aspects that are relevant to his music--it does explore in considerable depth all of his musical influences: his profound religious faith, his ability to "see" music in terms of colors, his unique approach to rhythm, and above all, his interest in and use of birdsong in his compositions. The film also offers many insights into Messiaen's working methods and relationships with key colleagues. But the real strength of this documentary is the wealth of filmed footage Mille has assembled. Messiaen is shown giving interviews, teaching students, attending rehearsals, even fulfilling his role as organist at Paris' Trinity Church, a post he held for decades. Most fascinating of all is footage of him wandering through sylvan landscapes (often accompanied by his second wife, the virtuoso pianist Yvonne Loriod) recording birdsongs, which he transcribed and incorporated into many of his compositions. Messiaen's unique charisma registers strongly in these filmed excerpts, which reveal his warm and open personality, his impish humor, and his fervent belief in the transformative power of music. Watching him hold forth about the influences that shaped his music is revelatory and inspiring. The DVD extras comprise supplemental interviews with composers and musicians who offer personal perspectives on this iconoclastic figure. Most notable are the somewhat imperious Boulez, who once challenged Messiaen's notion of "seeing" colors; and the engaging Loriod, who shares some funny and tender anecdotes about her famous late husband. Even those who are familiar with Messiaen's music will come away with a better understanding of the man many consider the greatest classical composer of the 20th Century. Bravo.Olivier Messiaen - The Crystal Liturgy Overview

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