Chronochromie (Time-Colour) is an orchestral work by French composer Olivier Messiaen, completed in 1960. It consists of seven movements: Introduction, Strophe I, Antistrophe I, Strophe II, Antistrophe II, Epode and Coda. The sixth movement consists of 18 string instruments playing different birdsong. The first performance was in Donaueschingen on 16 October 1960, conducted by Hans Rosbaud.
Instrumentation
The work is scored for the following orchestra:
4 flutes (doubling piccolo) 3 oboes (doubling cor anglais) 4 clarinets (doubling E-flat clarinet and bass clarinet)
4 horns 4 trumpets (doubling piccolo trumpet in D) 3 trombones 1 tuba
Percussion (6 players): suspended cymbal, chinese cymbal, 3 gongs, bells, glockenspiel, marimba, xylophone
Strings (16 1st violins, 16 2nd violins, 14 violas, 12 cellos, 10 basses)