Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time

Audience members are invited to bring a lunch to eat; St. John's will provide drinks and cookies.

The Quartet for the End of Time was composed during an excruciatingly difficult time while Messiaen was captured and held in a German POW camp during World War II. The piece draws its inspiration from the Book of Revelation, birdsong, and the colors of the northern lights.  The first performance was held in the camp during the bleak winter of 1941 with Messiaen at the piano, and fellow prisoners playing violin, cello, and clarinet.  

Ensemble Chamarré sees to help the listener to experience the context of this extraordinary masterpiece of chamber literature by describing the conditions at the camp and details of Messiaen’s experience as it relates to the music. 

Click here to listen to Ensemble Chamarré  perform an excerpt from the Quartet.