Quartet for the end of Time

The Quatuor for the end of Time is a musical work in eight movements of Olivier Messiaen written for Violon, Violoncelle, Clarinette and Piano. However, the four instruments play together only in two movements.

The quartet was written in detention (with the Stalag VIII-A in 1940. It was created with the Stalag by Etienne Pasquier with the violoncello, Jean Boulaire with the violin, Henri Akoka with the clarinet and Olivier Messiaen itself with the piano.

Movements of the Quartet

Crystal liturgy

Singing exercise, for the angel which announces the end of time

This movement, at least in its central part, seeks original harmonies of successive agreements.

Damages birds

This movement of great difficulty is played by the clarinet alone.

Interlude

This movement into semi joins together the violin, the violoncello and the clarinet.

Praise with the Eternity of Jesus

This movement joins together the violoncello and the piano in a song infinitely slow, extatic with the violoncello, underlined by agreements repeated with the piano. In the “calm” moments one can feel an almost tonal system.

Dance of the fury, for the seven trumpets

The four instruments play in unison for a movement with a great rhythmic rigor. It is the only allusion of all work to the aspect of cataclysm of the last Judgment. This movement is completed on a quadruple fortissimo which produces a terrifying effect.

Tumble of rainbows, for the angel which announces the end of time

This movement is during second ( Vocalize ) and is built on the same diagram.

Praise with the Immortality of Jesus

This movement is during fifth ( Louange with Eternity ) with the violin holding the role of soloist.

Bibliography and bonds

visual Interpretation of work
Rebecca Rischin (2006). And Messiaen composed… 1941, Görlitz Stalag. Genesis of the Quartet for the end of Time, Paris, Ramsay.

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