Birdsongs, Structure and Harmonic colour of Non-birdsong Subjects in Olivier Messiaen’s ‘La bouscarle’ from Catalogue d’oiseaux

Abstract

This paper analyses ‘La bouscarle’, a movement from Catalogue d’oiseaux, which is one of the most extensive piano works written by Oliver Messiaen. A distinctive characteristic of this comparatively short movement is the harmonic colour constructed from the composer’s mode 3 in the representation of the river theme, serving as an important subject that provides the flow and structure for the entire work. Mode 3, which forms an A major tonality for the river theme and the portrayal of the kingfisher’s colour, also provides a less dissonant harmony that is different from the harmonies used for habitats presented in other movements of the Catalogue. The soloist, the Cetti’s warbler, with its brief and brusque call, produces a contrasting mood with the lyrical chordal river theme. The majority of birdsongs in this work shares similar characteristics with the soloist’s, except the more melodically delicate blackbird, robin, and blackcap, with their call matching the river theme. It is thus concluded that birdsongs in this movement can also be found and feature their characteristics similarly in other Messiaen’s works.