Messaien

Another composer, dead now. He was obsessed with bird noises. His wife was an opera singer and he would go to Indonesia and write down what the birds were singing [pretends to sing like a bird which sounds like a squeaky door] and then he’d come home and while his wife was cooking he’d ask her to sing it and she’d go ’OK, dear !’ [squeaky door-noise ensues) These pieces are fucking the most beautiful gorgeous thing ever. Complete mystique - listen and you’re entranced.

Sky 12/95