What system did Messiaen employ in his music?
Modes of limited transposition
Twelve-tone technique
Minimalism
Impressionism
Answer
Modes of limited transposition, a system developed by Olivier Messiaen, assigns each mode a unique transposition range. This system allows for the creation of melodies and harmonies that maintain their modal character even when transposed. By limiting the transposition range, Messiaen sought to preserve the specific intervallic relationships and melodic contours that define each mode.
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