Olivier Messiaen - Catalogue d’oiseaux (Book 1) [With score]

Composer: Olivier Messiaen (10 December 1908 -- 27 April 1992) Pianist: Yvonne Loriod (Messiaen’s wife) Olivier Messiaen - Catalogue d’oiseaux, written between 1956-1958, Book 1 (Premier livre) 00:15 - I. Le Chocard des Alpes (Alpine chough) 10:38 - II. Le Loriot (Eurasian golden oriole) 19:57 - III. Le Merle bleu (Blue rock thrush) Catalogue d’oiseaux begins with “Le chocard des alpes“ (the Alpine chough), not only depicting the bird, but also its mountainous surrounding, in several lengthy sections of colorfully dissonant chords. The call of the raven is juxtaposed with the chough, and long silences, a favorite tool of Messiaen, abound. “Le loriot“ (the golden oriole) follows with a marked contrast to “Le chocard“; indeed, contrast characterizes the succession of movements throughout the work. The oriole’s repetitive song takes on virtuosic extremes, homage (along with the title pun) to the work’s premiere performer, Messiaen’s second wife, Yvonne Loriod. The homage is one of love as Messiaen’s harmonies recall harmonies from his earlier Cinq Rechants. The final piece of the book, “Le merle bleu“ (the blue rock thrush), is a forceful and jubilant setting. Original Audio: