Just about to put in an order for more sheet music (ouch!). Need to include something by Messiaen.

What do you enjoy most? What do you find most satisfying to play? Which strings pieces of his do you think are most significant to 20th century music?

Son Viohazard likes the Fantaisie (for violin and piano) because the rhythm is more accessible than in the Quartet for the End of Time...he says.

I think I have a recording of a theme and variation by Messiaen for violin and piano played by Vengerov. Quite enjoyable. Not sure how hard it is as I can't say I've listened to it more than once or twice, but worth considering.

I didn't even know he'd recorded T&V - we have an Anne Akiko Meyers recording made with Li Jian. (A recording with lots of interesting other stuff on it too).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Virtuoso-Works-for...1728&sr=8-2 Here it is Bit of an odd choice to put with a bunch of short cute pieces, I bought it for the Bloch (which I really don't like his interpretation of but it's interesting to hear) and because it's a good "I need to learn an encore in a week what shall I learn" style CD for picking pieces. Looks like you can download Vengerov's version for 79p as well! But if you have AAM that's probably as good. What other solo violin works are there by Messiaen, and is there a particular reason (other than the obvious anniversary) you're looking to buy his violin sheet music?

The only solo works I know of are the Theme and Variations, and the Fantaisie. I have a feeling there is one more short piece, but not sure.

Since those are both early works, I wonder if there are adaptations of some later works for violin. (Not aware of any).

Viohazard's theory/composition teacher recommended he listen to and play Messiaen. Maybe partly because Messiaen had quite an interest in Japanese music, and also just because Japanese strings teachers don't teach much twentieth century music, (beyond a few standard items). You can tell that they don't have a real love or understanding of it, on the whole, and I guess that playing it when you are young may be the only way.

Since he shifted his emphasis to composition, he's got a whole new list of things to play - Brahms and Franck sonatas first of all. Though I am too ignorant to know why they are particularly interesting from a composition point of view!

PS - I guess the Louange (8th mvt) for violin and piano from the Quartet for the End of Time is fairly often performed as an isolated movement.