Abstract
The aim of this research is to illustrate the musical style of Olivier Messiaen as manifested in his piano compositions. Additionally, it delves into the integration of his distinctive compositional approach with his deeply held Catholic beliefs, as expressed through his music. Research materials have been gathered from published secondary sources and firsthand performances of his works. Biographical accounts of Messiaen’s life have been examined to highlight pivotal moments that directly influence his compositions. Furthermore, the background of his masterpiece Vingt Regards Sur l’Enfant-Jésus (Twenty Gazes upon the Infant Jesus) has been explored to elucidate how the analyzed work, No: XIX Je dors, mais mon cœur veille (I sleep, but my heart waketh), is related to the entire cycle. A systematic analysis of the piece, including the modes of limited transposition, themes of the Vingt Regards, rhythmic and harmonic structures, has been undertaken to comprehend how Messiaen’s musical language and rhythmic structure contribute to tonal progression and formal coherence. This article also investigates the thematic relevance of the title and its alignment with the religious and mystical themes prevalent throughout the cycle and Messiaen’s broader oeuvre.
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How to cite this paper
The Analysis of Je Dors, Mais Mon Cœur Veille Composed by Olivier Messiaen
How to cite this paper: Cagdas Soylar. (2024) The Analysis of Je Dors, Mais Mon Cœur Veille Composed by Olivier Messiaen. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 8(4), 817-829.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2024.04.001