Rhythm in the Music of Messiaen: An Algebraic Study and an Application in the "Turangalîla Symphony"
Julian L. Hook · Music Theory Spectrum · 1998
A system of algebraic terminology and notation is introduced to study “rhythmic characters” in the music of Olivier Messiaen. The concepts developed include generative, periodic, progressive, and recursive rhythms. Fifty rhythms from Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony are classified using these concepts. Interactions of rhythm and pitch, and of rhythms with each other, are also studied.