Chapter XVII: Modulations of These Modes and Their Relation to the Major Tonality

Original: Pages 64–66 in Satterfield translation

Musical Examples:

• Example 358
• Example 359
• Example 360
• Example 361
• Example 362
• Example 363
• Example 364
• Example 365
• Example 366
• Example 367
• Example 368
• Example 369
• Example 370

Overview

Chapter XVII addresses the practical question of how Messiaen's modes of limited transpositions interact with traditional tonality and with each other. Despite their symmetrical properties and existence "in the atmosphere of several tonalities at once," these modes can be employed to suggest specific tonal centers through emphasis of particular pitches or through mixing with traditional tonal materials. The chapter demonstrates three types of modal relationships: mixing modes with major tonality, modulation of a mode to itself (changing transposition levels), and modulation from one mode to another. Throughout, Messiaen emphasizes that examples use the chosen mode melodically and harmonically with all notes belonging to the mode, while carefully indicating changes of mode and notes foreign to the mode. The chapter reveals the flexibility of modal practice—modes can function both as autonomous harmonic systems and as elements within larger tonal or multi-modal contexts.