French composer Olivier Messiaen would have been 90 today. To mark this anniversary, Radio 3 presents an evening of programmes devoted to him, setting Messiaen in the context of his time with music by composers he admired, influenced and taught.
With Chris de Souza and Roger Nichols. + See Brian Kay : page 50
6.00 Peter Donohoe
From the Adrian Boult Hall , Birmingham Conservatoire.
Peter Donohoe (piano)
Messiaen Neumes Rhythmiques (Etudes de Rhythme)
Murail Cloches d'Adieu et un Sourire
Takemitsu Rain Tree Sketch II (In Memoriam Olivier Messiaen)
Debussy Reflets dans I'Eau (Images) Albeniz Fête-Dieu a Seville
Stockhausen Piano Piece No 3
Dukas La Plainte, au Loin, du Faune Scriabin Two Preludes, Op 67 Messiaen Canteyodjaya
7.05 Olivier Messiaen : the Man behind the Music
The magic of Olivier Messiaen is in the music. But to what extent is the music representative of the man? As a composer, performer and teacher, Messiaen was dedicated, determined and curious. And yet those who knew Messiaen have also described him as abnormally sensitive, secretive and obsessive. Friends and pupils of the composer paint a portrait of the man behind the music, with recollections from Henri Dutilleux , Manuel Rosenthal , Betsy Jolas , Madeleine Milhaud , Peter Hill and George Benjamin.