Chapter I: The Charm of Impossibilities and the Relation of the Different Subject Matters

Original: Pages 1–2 in Satterfield translation Musical Examples: References throughout Volume 2

Overview

This opening chapter functions as both aesthetic manifesto and structural roadmap. Messiaen establishes his central organizing principle—what he terms the "charm of impossibilities"—and maps the relationships among rhythm, melody, and harmony that structure his entire compositional system. The chapter articulates his commitment to synthesis: honoring historical tradition while pursuing contemporary innovation, and grounding technical rigor in religious expression.