Comments on: Messiaen: Offrandes Oubliées

By: Chandler Branch

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:25:34 +0000

Composer/scholar Peter Bannister has written a very thought-provoking reflection on Norman Lebrecht’s Messiaen article. You can read it here: http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20081210_1.htm

By: Tim Cutts

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:29:52 +0000

I find Norman’s article somewhat difficult to empathise with. I love much of Messiaen’s music (especially the more contemplative pieces like Les Offrandes). I’m not a Roman Catholic, and I disagree with a lot of Catholic dogma. But that doesn’t stop me recognising beautiful and spiritual music when I hear it. Almost all religions claim to have a monopoly on the truth. There’s nothing unusual in that, and it seems odd to me that a critic should use that to justify such an almost allergic reaction to a composer’s output. There are plenty of composers whose output I just can’t get along with, but I just put that down to either a lack of understanding on my part, or simply a matter of my personal taste.

By: Miss Mussel

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:20:29 +0000

Hello and welcome to The OM! I have indeed come across the Lebrecht article and a response to it is in the cards for this site.

The short version is, I couldn’t agree more.

I’ll be sure to let you know when a more detailed response appears here.

By: Chandler Branch

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:31:04 +0000

Have you by any chance come across Norman Lebrecht's recent article on Messiaen? I would be curious to hear your response. Glad to have found your blog. Chandler Branch Soli Deo Gloria