"Labeled "philosophy" by the publisher, this book contains neither musical examples (either in score or CD form) nor an index, but it does offer 40 pages of notes and an extensive bibliography that includes Augustine, Eduard Hanslick, Heidegger, Kant, and Kierkegaard. The writings of Hans Urs von Balthasar and Jean-Luc Marion serve as points of departure and scrutiny. Positing that listening to Messiaen's music requires more than aesthetics, theology, musicology, or theory, musicologist Sander van Maas investigates whether the "musical experience of the work of Messiaen merely results from ingenious rhetorical techniques" or whether there is something more. Is the music, as Messiaen himself believed, a "breakthrough toward the beyond" (i.e., an inner "dazzlement" or religious experience)? Or, in the contrary view, is this "breakthrough" a nonreligious "adoration of music"? According to the author, Messiaen "situates the listener at once inside and outside faith." Not meant for casual reading, the book includes sentences such as "Thinking about the phenomenon in terms of objectivity mystifies the original phenomenality of the phenomenon." Those who do embark on the book will likely find Messiaen's The Technique of My Musical Language (Eng. tr., 1956) and a CD of "La Transfiguration de Notre-Seigneur Jesus-Christ" useful aids. Summing Up: Recommended. Researchers, faculty, professionals." -Choice "A penetrating and thought-provoking exploration of what might be entailed by Messiaen's musical 'breakthrough to the beyond'. The Reinvention of Religious Music provides us with a wealth of fresh and original perspectives on this complex, endlessly fascinating musician."
-Jeremy Begbie Duke University "In his eloquent and detailed study, van Maas discusses the theological meaning of Messiaen's music and the ways in which this unique sound world seeks to configure and even evangelize Messiaen's Christian thought. Maas presents an absorbing and provocative insight into Messiaen's faith in music that will enhance appreciation of this often misunderstood composer and his work."
-Andrew Shenton Boston University "If the idea that religious music is a thing of the past helps you sleep better, Sander van Maas' provocative book should wake you up. Did you ever think that an ear could be circumcised? From the Bible to Messiaen and Derrida, he radically rethinks the relationships between ear and flesh."
-Peter Szendy Universite de Paris X Nanterre "Examines the religious dimension of this composer's music." -Publishers Weekly