Olivier Messiaen The Music of Faith (1984)

Olivier Messiaen played a leading role in the evolution of 20thcentury music In this classic interview the late composer talks on topics such as his love of nature and his fervent Christian faith two themes that profoundly shaped his work his views on rhythm and tonal color his relationship with his mother the poet Cécile Sauvage and his professorship at the Paris Conservatoire Film clips of Messiaen improvising on the organ and notating birdsong for his compositionsplus excerpts of his music some of which are performed by his wife the celebrated pianist Yvonne Loriodprovide a deeper appreciation of his special genius 79 minutes