Composer of the century - Olivier Messiaen

The 10th of December 1908 was a significant day in music history. In Avignon the poetess Cécile Sauvage Messiaen gave birth to her son Olivier. In New York Modest Altschuler conducted the world premiere of Alexander Scrjabin's Poème de l'Extase. "Spirit, winged with thirst for life, is drawn into flight and thus the universe resounds …", it is said in the accompanying poem. Messiaen too thought cosmically. His 'celestial city' was inspired by the visions from the Bible and Aristophanes, who envisioned a city of birds as paradise between heaven and earth. Bird voices (as with Stravinsky) and vibrant colours (as in Grisey's congratulation to Messiaen's 70th birthday) determine the sound.

The Berliner Festspiele bring together a seemingly endless variety of arts and culture under one roof each year in Berlin. It was founded in West Berlin in 1951. Throughout the year, festivals, program series, and individual events enrich the cultural scene of the city. The festivals include performances of music, theater, dance, and literature.