Messiaen: Quatuor Pour La Fin Du Temps cover

Messiaen: Quatuor Pour La Fin Du Temps

Composer
Released

An excellent recording of the Quartet for the End of Time, Messiaen’s essay on the apocalypse in written while he was a prisoner of war. The piece runs through Messiaen’s many languages — violent fire and brimstone, birdsong, and a breathless, sustained lyricism that is his image of eternity. All-stars are at work here: Shaham, Chung, and Wang, who especially rises to the occasion in the fifth and ninth movements.

Sean Wood

Recommended by

Suggestions
Jascha Heifetz plays Beethoven (Sonatas & Concerto) cover

Jascha Heifetz plays Beethoven (Sonatas & Concerto)

Ludwig van Beethoven, Jascha Heifetz
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77 cover

Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77

Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jascha Heifetz, Fritz Reiner
Takemitsu: Visions, November Steps cover

Takemitsu: Visions, November Steps

Hiroshi Wakasugi, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
For George Lewis cover

For George Lewis

Alarm Will Sound, Tyshawn Sorey
Carthage cover

Carthage

The Crossing, Donald Nally
Julius Eastman Vol. 1: Femenine cover

Julius Eastman Vol. 1: Femenine

Christopher Rountree, Wild Up