Makina Anna
In the works of O. Messiaen, the works of 1949–1952 opened up new directions in the development of musical language associated with
technological thinking. The paper presents an analysis of the piece «Blackbird» for fl ute and piano (1951), showing that the composer, structuring
the parameters of rhythm and pitch, works in the context of serial technique. The variational structure, determining the irregularity of the fl ute part
structure (symbolizing the image of nature, vitality, feeling) is supported by the regular movement of the structurally organized piano part (drawing
the image of order, logic, reason). The composition corresponds to the principles set out in the «Technique of my musical language», including
the use of rhythms with additional durations, polyrhythm, acceptance of irreversibility, canonical imitation, permutation of sounds, chords of nonthird structure, modes of limited transposition. Their synthesis organizes a high-tech composition, which as a whole creates the impression of
improvisation.
Keywords: birdsong, seriality, structure, permutation, interpolation, metabola, number.
DOI: 10.25791/musicology.4.2025.1427
Pp. 18-28. |
