An addiction to religious subject matter, common all over post-war Europe, is no more significant in Messiaen than is orientalism with Jolivet or the classical humanism of Rosenthal (and Malipiero).[2]
Political organization
The cultural/political organization Jeune France was founded by composer Pierre Schaeffer as part of the Révolution nationale initiative of the Vichy regime. It was launched on 15 August 1940 and named after the music society (after asking permission to use the title).
Its goal was a French cultural renewal in the context of German occupation, through developing youth-oriented cultural and artistic events like theatrical performances, concerts, and exhibitions. Another aim was to employ unemployed artists. It also sponsored the creation of the short-lived artistic commune in Oppède (near Marseille) founded in 1940 by Bernard Zehrfuss.
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^Thomson, Virgil: "Possibilities: V. T. Questioned by 8 Composers (1947)", in: Virgil Thomson. A Reader: Selected Writings, 1924–1984, edited by Richard Kostelanetz (New York: Routledge, 2002), ISBN0-415-93795-7, p. 268.