Olivier Messiaen was a French composer, known for his beautiful and spiritual music. He was also an organist and passionate birdwatcher. Messiaen often included themes from his Catholic faith, nature, and birdsong in his works. He created new types of music by combining unusual rhythms and melodies, influenced by both Indian and Japanese music.

One of his most famous pieces is Quartet for the End of Time, which he wrote while in a World War II prisoner camp. This piece is meant to reflect hope and faith in difficult times. As the organist at Église de la Sainte-Trinité in Paris, he inspired many young composers. Notable works like Turangalîla-Symphonie and Catalogue d’oiseaux show his love for birds and nature. Messiaen’s music remains influential, encouraging other composers to explore new ideas and spiritual themes.