ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book highlights on Messiaen's theoretical and written sources, sections of his Traité are based almost entirely on existing rhythmic treatises, monographs on plainchant and general histories of music from a variety of authors. These ideas acted both as components of his expanding language and starting points for further research leading to new innovations. Stimuli from outside the musical domain had a striking impact: principally his love of birds, literature and philosophy. A constant source of inspiration was Debussy, whose presence is clearly felt in the early compositions up to the 1930s and the construction of Messiaen's musical language never entirely outgrew this formative inspiration. The book seeks to evaluate this aspect of the composer's output and propose a systematisation of his structures. It examines works selected from different periods in Messiaen's career with objective of demonstrating the viability of independent detailed analysis.
