Sonority as structural element in Messiaen: some notes on the Catalogue d’oiseaux

Abstract

This paper aims to bring elements which could contribute to connect Messiaen's
techniques of composition with Debussy's, upstream, and Boulez', downstream. A
number of concepts and analytic tools have been developed to this effect, which
will be briefly described. They are founded upon the notion of sonority as structural
unit. In this context, the purpose is precisely to highlight some of the most
systematic forms of articulation of the sonorities found in Catalogue d'oiseaux,
suggesting links from/to the two other french composers' structuring strategies.