Messian's scores

[madcapellan]

The score for St. François is printed in the "folio" size that a number of Messiaen's other scores are printed in (La Transfiguration, La Ville d'en-Haut, etc.). The page size for these is approximately 17"x12" (typically listed as 45 cm I believe), which is large but not abnormally so (many modern scores are even bigger). The typeface is Leduc's typical engraving style, and looks no different from any other Messiaen scores printed by the publisher (which was most of them) before the 1990's. The cover for each volume is light brown, with a different color typeface for each volume. However, other than the color, this cover looks identical to the title page that proceeds it.

Perhaps Harawi45 has access to a different version other than the one that is generally available, but otherwise this appears to be a justification from the publisher for one of the most overpriced scores ever that is based on exaggerations or baldfaced lies. There is absolutely nothing in the scores themselves that look more "beautiful" than any other of Messiaen's scores, and there is certainly nothing in the design of each volume that is intended to say "magnum opus" except for the size. Again, each volume is identical in size and appearance to the two volumes of La Transfiguration, so the assertion that Leduc did something spectacular for the St. François score to justify its pricing is absurd. The size is admittedly a bit unwieldy, and the hardcover volumes are indeed heavy, but the longer of the volumes are in the 300-page range, while some of the smaller scenes don't even make 100 pages. So while putting the whole work into three volumes might indeed be difficult, there is no reason it couldn't have been done in five based on how large they are willing and able to make the necessary volumes.

Were it released in study score version, there is no reason it couldn't be done in three. This would probably be a good idea, because no one in the general public will ever shell out $3,000 for a single score of a work. It would seem that Harawi45 is right that Leduc is dropping the ball here at least, because it could be a simple reprint on demand and would at least make something.