Use and Sound
Messiaen found ways of employing all of the modes of limited transposition harmonically, melodically, and sometimes polyphonically. The whole-tone and octatonic scales have enjoyed quite widespread use since the turn of the 20th century, particularly by Debussy and Stravinsky, respectively.
The symmetry inherent in these modes (which means no note can be perceived as the tonic), together with certain rhythmic devices, Messiaen described as containing "the charm of impossibilities".
The composer Tōru Takemitsu made frequent use of Messiaen's modes, particularly the third mode.
Read more about this topic: Modes Of Limited Transposition
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