The 1985 Laureates / Creative Arts and Moral Sciences Category / Music
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Olivier Messiaen

France / December 10, 1908-1992
Composer

The greatest music composer of the 20th century. His music is the freely embraced non-classical position, which attempted to bring contemporary expression to Catholicism. Among his masterpieces are "Catalogue d'Oiseaux," and "La Transfiguration de notre Seigneur Jésus Christ."

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
1930
Graduated from Conservatoire de Paris
1931-present
Organist, Eglise de la Sainte Trinite in Paris
1942-1978
Professor, Conservatoire de Paris (harmony, rhythmic analysis, composition)
1972
D.H.C., Catholic University (U.S.A.)

AWARDS AND HONORS
1971
The Erasmus Prize, The Rhineland Prize, The Sibelius Prize
1975
The Von Siemens Prize
1977
The Leonie Sonning Prize

MAJOR WORKS
1941
Quatuor pour la fin du temps
1944
Vingt Regards sur I'Enfant-Jesus
1948
Turangalila-Symphonie
1958
Catalogue d'Oiseaux
1969
La Transfiguration de N.S. Jesus Christ