Messiaen: Le Merle noir
The Blackbird
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Shipping Policy- Composer: Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)
- Instrumentation: Piano, Flute
- Work: Le Merle Noir (The Blackbird) (1952)
- ISMN:
- Pages: 16
Description
Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992) left us a considerable output marked in particular by his researches into rhythm, his modes of limited transposition, his chord colours, his Roman catholic faith, and the birdsong. From the 1940s and 1950s, the period of Le Merle noir, Messiaen was able to evolve and direct his work towards a relationship with nature and, through that, the spiritual. Composed in 1951 as a competition piece for the Paris Conservatoire, Le Merle noir is one of Messiaen's first pieces to make reference to birdsong, which would continue to inspire him throughout his career: "I have always thought that birds were the great masters and that they had found everything: modes, neumes, rhythmic acuity, tone-colour melodies and even collective improvisation" (Traité de rythme, de couleur et d'ornithologie, V, 1).
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Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
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Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
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Paperback
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Set of Parts
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Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
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In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
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Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Digital Download
Digital, PDF version of the score.
Messiaen: Le Merle noir
