Part One: What I Know About This Subject (the Knowledge Base)

a) What works by Messiaen we have studied this year"

- We've studied two works by Messiaen this year. The first piece is La Nativite Du Seigneur and the second is Amen de la Creation.

b) What are some of the rhythmic devices I can expect to find in Messiaen?

• In La Nativite Du Seigneur, Messiaen employs the use of cells, little sections of music upon which he forms the structure of the piece. New cells are constantly introduced and previous cells are brought back and/or developed at the same time. Besides the use of cells, Messiaen also highlights contrasts in the melody and uses that to structure the piece.
• In Amen de la Creation, Messiaen shows us the isorhythmic style where he takes sequences of rhythmic cycles(Talea) and uses them...