Messaien's Quartet for the End of Time

Part of the Roman River Festival 2025 - See all concerts here.

Olivier Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la fin du temps (Quartet for the End of Time) is one of the most extraordinary works of the 20th century, a revolutionary piece that helped redefine chamber music which was composed under remarkable and harrowing circumstances. Written in 1940–41, while Messiaen was a prisoner of war in the German Stalag VIII-A camp during World War II, the piece was composed for the only instruments available in the camp: violin, clarinet, cello, and piano. Messiaen himself played piano at the premiere, which took place on January 15, 1941, before an audience of fellow prisoners and guards, reportedly in freezing conditions. We hope that you will be somewhat warmer as you are uplifted by this profound statement of faith and artistic resilience. 

The quartet is inspired by the Book of Revelation, specifically the angel’s declaration that “there shall be time no longer.” This apocalyptic vision is reflected in both the spiritual intensity of the music and its radical treatment of rhythm and harmony. Messiaen, a devout Catholic and synesthete, sought to transcend traditional musical time through breaking traditional musical rules. He created complex rhythmic cycles, using 'non-retrogradable' rhythms or rhythms that are the same forward and backward like a musical palindrome, which he favoured because they feel balanced and unchanging, symbolizing eternity or timelessness. The harmonic structures are based on scales, invented by Messiaen himself, which sound strange and otherworldly, neither happy like a major scale nor sad like a minor one, giving his music an overwhelming feeling of mystery and timelessness. 

Divided into eight movements, the work blends extreme contrasts—moments of ferocious energy with passages of meditative stillness. Particularly notable are the fifth and eighth movements, which feature long, soaring melodies for cello and violin respectively, floating over slow piano chords in what Messiaen described as expressions of divine eternity. Birdsong, a signature element in Messiaen’s music, is used vividly in the clarinet solo of the third movement, symbolizing freedom and spiritual elevation. 

Quatuor pour la fin du temps endures as a powerful testament to the human spirit, composed amidst suffering, yet filled with hope, transcendence, and a vision of timeless beauty. Fitting, then, that this concert takes place in a spot where clergy has served in an almost unbroken line stretching back to 1322.

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Please note that the musicians are all in agreement that the piece should be played from start to finish with no interval to offer you the most immersive experience of the music. We will therefore allow a little extra time for everyone to get settled before the performance begins.

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Violinist Sijie Chen is a key member of the Wild Arts family, performing regularly with The Bloomsbury Quartet, which she founded, during our Spring Concerts, as well as with the Wild Arts Ensemble. She serves as co-leader of the London Mozart Players and has performed with renowned artists such as Nicola Benedetti and Roderick Williams as well as at prestigious festivals including the Edinburgh International Festival and Prussia Cove. Her chamber music collaborations span a diverse repertoire, reflecting her commitment to musical excellence and innovation.​

Since his acclaimed 2009 debut at Berlin’s Philharmonie, Sacha Rattle has performed across Europe and Asia, including appearances at prestigious venues like Cadogan Hall and Palau de la Música. A dedicated chamber musician renowned for his expressive performances and distinctive sound, Rattle collaborates regularly with pianist Zeynep Özsuca and is a founding member of the award-winning ensemble Berlin Counterpoint. His diverse repertoire spans classical masterpieces to contemporary works, reflecting his versatility and commitment to expanding the clarinet's expressive range.

​Sam Haywood is acclaimed for his expressive performances and versatility across solo, chamber, and Lieder repertoires. He has performed in major concert halls worldwide, and has collaborated with renowned artists such as violinist Joshua Bell and cellist Steven Isserlis. Haywood's discography includes recordings for Hyperion, featuring works by composers like Julius Isserlis and Charles Villiers Stanford. He is also the co-founder and Artistic Director of the Solent Music Festival in Hampshire.

​A dedicated educator, Bartholomew LaFollette served as Principal Cello Teacher at the Yehudi Menuhin School and is the Artistic Director of the Marryat Players Chamber Music Festival. He has performed as a soloist with prestigious ensembles such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the City of London Sinfonia and collaborated with esteemed artists such as Christian Tetzlaff, Alina Ibragimova, and András Keller. His debut album, Brahms: Works for Cello and Piano, received critical acclaim for its technical finesse and interpretative insight. 

PROGRAMME

Oliver Messaien The Quartet for the End of Time

Duration: approx. 1 hour 

Planning: Doors open from 7.30 for an 8pm start. Please allow ample time for parking.

Sijie Chen | violin
Sacha Rattle | clarinet
Sam Haywood | piano
Bartholomew LaFollette | cello

Tickets £20 – £40 (£15 for under 30s)

Reduced visibility seats available.

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