Messiaen - Quartet for the End of Time

This is a 7-minute work for violin, cello, piano, and clarinet. It was written while the composer was being detained in a prison camp in World War II. These were the only instruments available, and Messiaen had to work around severe difficulties surrounding these instruments. For example, one of the cello's strings were missing, and several of the keys on the piano were broken and unplayable. Quartet for the End of Time was given its premier right inside the prison camp, and to this day, it remains one of the most famous examples of twentieth-century chamber music.

The subject matter of the quartet is the book of Revelation. My favorite part is the very end, where the violin plays a lofty harmonic which fades, seemingly, into eternity. Simply ethereal!

ABSOLUTELY!!!

ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE! LOVE MESSIAEN

have you listened to Eclairs Sur L'au D'ela...?

One of my favorite pieces. Highly recommended.

I had to study part of this work at university but I never actually listened to the whole work because at the time, I couldn't stand anything 20th century. :blush:

I'm going to have to find some time to give it some attention. :toothygrin:

Among my very favorite pieces. I'm particularly fond of the 5th mvmt. It's divine, in an otherworldly sort of way. The story of the quartet's creation and premiere is quite fascinating as well. The book For the End of Time: The Story of the Messiaen Quartet by Rebecca Rischin tells it in some detail.

Definitely worth a listen (or several) if you're unfamiliar with it.

This is a 7-minute work

ermm, try 50?

Great piece.

This is a 7-minute work for violin, cello, piano, and clarinet. It was written while the composer was being detained in a prison camp in World War II. These were the only instruments available, and Messiaen had to work around severe difficulties surrounding these instruments. For example, one of the cello's strings were missing, and several of the keys on the piano were broken and unplayable. Quartet for the End of Time was given its premier right inside the prison camp, and to this day, it remains one of the most famous examples of twentieth-century chamber music.

The subject matter of the quartet is the book of Revelation. My favorite part is the very end, where the violin plays a lofty harmonic which fades, seemingly, into eternity. Simply ethereal!

A masterpiece, although a bit longer.

boring piece and i have strong problems with a quartet.

what can you expect from a quartet only?

even if the composition is sophisticated the music immediately gets repetitive regarding instrumentalisation.

with all orchestral music out there, who is listening to a quartet? i would like to understand that.

the most interesting with it is that he played it to his master in 1977 in New York on the piano. (he actually liked it "like listening to an orchestral performance"). i just read that yesterday on his wikpedia and actually listened to the piece (the beginning only, then i got bored, this shall be allowed to say) on last.fm

however, if you know his master, especially his full orchestral works... another story.

actually listened to the piece (the beginning only, then i got bored, this shall be allowed to say)

OHWAYT

No, you didn't "actually listen to the piece."

That's called "glancing at a piece and dismissing it 4 minutes in." By the way, lol there are a lot of people who find chamber music way more interesting than orchestral music. So you fail.

Haha yeah. I had to listen to this piece for my composition class, and it provides a lot more insight into the intellectual aspects of the work if you have and follow along with a score. If you were sitting in your house listening to it, (especially if you have a bias toward tonal music) I wouldn't believe you if you DID like it (Eftos).

boring piece and i have strong problems with a quartet.

what can you expect from a quartet only?

even if the composition is sophisticated the music immediately gets repetitive regarding instrumentalisation.

with all orchestral music out there, who is listening to a quartet? i would like to understand that.

:dry:

boring piece and i have strong problems with a quartet.

what can you expect from a quartet only?

even if the composition is sophisticated the music immediately gets repetitive regarding instrumentalisation.

with all orchestral music out there, who is listening to a quartet? i would like to understand that.

Thanks for the laugh, I was needing it.

Thanks for the laugh, I was needing it.

Agreed.

I am in the present in the middle of an essay on chamber music and its relevance.

You have to consider that chamber music is NEVER written for public aclaim or financal gain but from the impluse and desire to compose. This is an insight into Messiaen's compluses creativity.

Besides that, it was written in the midst of WWII when he was in one of the camps and written for performance by the officers.

boring piece and i have strong problems with a quartet.

what can you expect from a quartet only?

even if the composition is sophisticated the music immediately gets repetitive regarding instrumentalisation.

with all orchestral music out there, who is listening to a quartet? i would like to understand that.

I am torn between hitting your head with a tree and nailing your testicles to a cactus.

Maybe I'll hit your testicles with a catcus tree and nail them to your head!

boring piece and i have strong problems with a quartet.

what can you expect from a quartet only?

even if the composition is sophisticated the music immediately gets repetitive regarding instrumentalisation.

with all orchestral music out there, who is listening to a quartet? i would like to understand that.

Now I've seen it all.

Anyone who could say such a thing never would "understand that," so do don't try.

How about saying something like, "quartets are not my favourite medium" instead of castigating all quartets by their very nature? I stand amazed at some people's short-sightedness.

At any rate...

This sounds like a piece I need to hear. I love Messiaen's organ music, but have never heard anything else of his.

Off I go to iTunes! Thanks for the recommendation.

boring piece and i have strong problems with a quartet.

what can you expect from a quartet only?

even if the composition is sophisticated the music immediately gets repetitive regarding instrumentalisation.

with all orchestral music out there, who is listening to a quartet? i would like to understand that.

the most interesting with it is that he played it to his master in 1977 in New York on the piano. (he actually liked it "like listening to an orchestral performance"). i just read that yesterday on his wikpedia and actually listened to the piece (the beginning only, then i got bored, this shall be allowed to say) on last.fm

however, if you know his master, especially his full orchestral works... another story.

Yeah, well Messiaen didn't exactly have an orchestra available to compose for in Stalag VIII-A. :shifty:

Seriously, the instrumentation was entirely dictated by what was available. Messiaen didn't have a plan from the start, he was just adjusting as the situation improved. For instance, the third movement, for solo clarinet, was written first because Messiaen had a clarinet (and a clarinetist) handy.. he didn't even really plan to use it in a larger work at that point.

Ignorance! How could anyone make such ridiculous claims! Actually, I'm completely desensitized to this sort of idiocy now.

Even my favorite orchestral work doesn't beat out my favorite chamber pieces. This quartet in particular is very intimate and special - I'm glad it is NOT for orchestra.

with all orchestral music out there, who is listening to a quartet?

But why just orchestral? What are a lousy hundred players when there are billions of people out there who can make sounds! It would be millions and millions times greater music still if you made an ensemble out of every living person on earth! And just imagine how great music we could make if we sped up human breeding to produce EVEN MORE MUSICIANS to play together!!! AWESOME!

Indeed... to quote Frasier - if less is more, then think of how much more more is!

ermm, try 50?

Great piece.

Haha, yes.

I had to sit through this piece in a masterclass once when I was about 15 years old. I just remember I was so painfully bored I almost quit my musical adventures right on the spot and considered working retail for the rest of my life instead.

But I made it through it and everything worked out okay.

I actually listened to this a few weeks ago with a fresh, mature approach and I still can't stand it, but that's okay.

with all orchestral music out there, who is listening to a quartet? i would like to understand that.

With all the amazing chamber music out there, who is listening to over-produced, over-dramatized orchestral pieces? :whistling: