Zahl, Wort und Spiel im Klavierwerk von Olivier Messiaen

This study is devoted to Olivier Messiaen’s piano compositions with a particular focus on his notes in the finished scores of his works. Following Edward Cone in the use of cryptanalysis, the author seeks to reveal three aspects of Messiaen’s work which allow us both to view the compositions also as metatextualisastions of the composer and to consider each of his introductions as a unit and order these in a wider context of art, literature and science. These three aspects are number, word and play.

“Number” represents the fact that Messiaen’s work is rhythmically, metrically and harmonically based on numbers. “Word” refers among other things to the composer’s many comments and to the wealth of associations in the titles he gave his works. Ultimately, a “play” with words and numbers emerges as the foundation of his creative musical process. This approach not only sheds light on Messiaen’s thinking but also demonstrates that this was closely interwoven with his spiritual, cultural and religious environment. His statement that he was “alone” (“Je suis seul”) must be reassessed against this background.