Illustrations : 27 black and white photos in the text.
Olivier Messiaen is one of the most influential composers of the twentieth century and one of the greatest religious artists of any era. At the time of his death in 1992, the dominant image was of a deeply religious man whose only sources of inspiration were God and nature, and a composer whose music followed an entirely personal path, impervious to contemporary events and the whims of fellow artists and critics. Messiaen's Life paints a more nuanced picture of the man and the musician, peering behind Messiaen's public image to examine the private difficulties and creative struggles that were the real backdrop to many of his greatest achievements. Based on the most recent research, including previously unknown sources, this book provides an excellent introduction to Messiaen's life and work, presenting a fascinating new perspective of a man whose story is more remarkable than the myths that surround him.