Uploaded October 2016 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
This piece, number 5 in the Catalog des oiseaux, is about night fears, menace and predators. The opening (la nuit) is made of the same cloth as the 2nd rhythmic étude, “Mode de valeurs et d’intensités”. The rhythmic étude is really a proof of concept where the usage here is programmatic. Note that both pieces are written in three voices. Some analysis would reveal what’s going on, who knows? perhaps the second episode plays it backwards and upside down; but who’s got time for that?
Messiaen writes in the intro text, of being out in the woods in deep night, absorbing the sounds and silences, as he says “sounding like a bell from another world.” The tawny owl, a solemn face, full of wisdom, mystery and the supernatural.
An unusual aspect of this piece is the recurring motif, c natural descending to a natural.
chouette hulotte - tawny owl
hibou moyen-duc - long eared owl
chouette chevêche - little owl
created, edited and mastered (by myself) in Digital Performer 5.13 using Ivory sound banks
This piece, number 5 in the Catalog des oiseaux, is about night fears, menace and predators. The opening (la nuit) is made of the same cloth as the 2nd rhythmic étude, “Mode de valeurs et d’intensités”. The rhythmic étude is really a proof of concept where the usage here is programmatic. Note that both pieces are written in three voices. Some analysis would reveal what’s going on, who knows? perhaps the second episode plays it backwards and upside down; but who’s got time for that?
Messiaen writes in the intro text, of being out in the woods in deep night, absorbing the sounds and silences, as he says “sounding like a bell from another world.” The tawny owl, a solemn face, full of wisdom, mystery and the supernatural.
An unusual aspect of this piece is the recurring motif, c natural descending to a natural.
chouette hulotte - tawny owl
hibou moyen-duc - long eared owl
chouette chevêche - little owl
created, edited and mastered (by myself) in Digital Performer 5.13 using Ivory sound banks
