Messiaen 1908-2008

Along with Stravinsky and Webern, Olivier Messiaen can be called one of the most inventive and significant composers of the 20^th C and for over 50 years and continues to be the object of enthusiastic analysis and performance in all serious musical institutions throughout Europe and beyond.

In Russia, despite the inestimable value of theoretical work achieved by musicologists Xolopov, Ekimov and Zaregradskaya, and, likewise, despite the advocacy of a small, but strong group of leading composers and musicians, Messiaen’s legacy is appreciated, but not publicly revered and certainly not even known to the extent it is in Western Europe, the Americas or in parts of the Far East.

We would like to rectify this situation for the tremendous benefit of the St. Petersburg public in this year, The Messiaen Year, celebrating the centennial of the composer’s birth.

We found extremly interesting inviting a student of Olivier Messaien André Bon to acompany as with all the concerts and create a big comunication and understanding of this music between the audience the performers and the composers of this city. 

Timothy Dunne