Olivier Messiaen's quartet for the end of time, secret of form: Movement VI
Olivier Messiaen's quartet for the end of time, secret of form: Movement VI

Summary/Abstract: Knowing that Messiaen's early period, especially The Quartet for the End of Time, got so many written comments and discussions and from renowned critics, musicologists and composers it is hard to believe that anything different could possibly come out about the structure, form or concept in his work. Still, another look at these works would be valuable, since the concept of form is far from explored. The focal point of this text is the sixth movement from the Quartet and its concept of form. It unveils the relation between Messiaen's music ideas and the ancient Greek tragedy and the depth of the influence that Greek art had on his concept of form. The influence goes as far as the "suggestion of ring composition".

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