Olivier Messiaen: La Mort du nombre

La Mort du nombre: music and text by Olivier Messiaen with Robert Kortgaard, piano; Suzie LeBlanc, soprano; Wiliford Lawrence, tenor;
Andriani Laura, violin

It is strange that this beautiful, passionate piece by Messiaen is not better known. La Mort du nombre is a dialogue between soprano and tenor, a mixture of aria and recitative, in which the two voices, two souls, lament their separation, and hope to be reunited. The tenor is dramatic, emotional and pessimistic, expressing sorrow over the separation of the two souls, while the soprano is gentle and comforting, singing reassuringly of peace and patience. Two important features of the work are first, the key and character of the dialogue, suggestive of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, and second, the strange title of the work which hints at Messiaen's interest in the dissolution of time in his music, the death of number or regular metre.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• La Mort du nombre
• Olivier Messiaen
• Robert Kortgaard
• Suzie LeBlanc
• Wiliford Lawrence
• Andriani Laura

[shadowphoenix88]

This is beautiful! I've been meaning to find more Messiaen, and this is a great place to start. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the lyrics, much less a translation. Could you please send me a lyrical transcription?

[pjdonagh]

An ideal introduction for those who find Messiaen "difficult"....and this performance is exquisite!!

Thank you for posting.