MUSICAL DESIGN ELEMENTS IN MESSIAEN’S LIVRE DU SAINT SACREMENT

David Vogels, speaker
The 18-movement Livre du Saint Sacrement, commissioned by the AGO for the 1986 National Convention in Detroit, is one of the most significant works of the past century. As a summation of Messiaen’s organ compositions, this monumental piece is loaded with more hidden codes and theological references than a Dan Brown novel. David Vogels will unlock the doors to understanding Messiaen’s musical language for optimum performance. Design elements to be discussed include special color chords, stained-glass-window effects, rhythmic modes, birdsongs, Gregorian chants, serial row structures, and communicable language. Mr. Vogels, who has performed the entire piece, will demonstrate pertinent passages and play recorded comparisons from other works by the composer. Many of the projected images that were used to accompany his recent concert will be shown.