Author

Krista Shinew

Defense Date

5-1-2004

Graduation Date

Spring 2004

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MM

Department

Music Theory

School

Mary Pappert School of Music

Committee Chair

Robert Shankovich

Committee Member

Ann Labounsky

Committee Member

Judith Bowman

Keywords

Messiaen's organ music, Messiaen's tonal language, organ registration, overtone series and organ registration, registration in Messiaen, registration in theory

Abstract

In this thesis, I examine the organ music of Olivier Messiaen both from the viewpoint of a theorist and as an organist. I assert that not only his influences, but also his in-depth understandings of the mutations stops of the organ and what pitches are produced by using these stops inform Messiaen's music. Furthermore, the organ music requires more than mere visual inspection, but must be aurally experienced because of the registration requirements placed in the score by Messiaen. The utilization of mutations often does not produce concert pitch, but other pitches absent in the score. To demonstrate this I provide numerous musical examples throughout this document. Furthermore, I assert that Messiaen's deliberate use of mutation stops is a part of his musical and harmonic language often overlooked as colorful or mere tone painting.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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