January 15, 1941: Stalag VIII prisoner of war camp, deep in modern day Poland. The inmates huddle together, guarded by German officers, awaiting the first performance of Olivier Messiaen’s Quatuor pour le Fin du Temps. The composer was inspired by the Book of Revelations during his internment in the middle of the Second World War to write the quartet, drawing on his deep Catholic faith to create a work that summons both the ecstasy and abyss found in the telling of the end of days. Two companion pieces by Reena Esmail and Toshio Hosokawa begin the performance, works which reflect on the eternity of music, and music for the beginning of time.

György Kurtág, Humble regard sur Olivier Messiaen | Reena Esmail, Tasveer | Toshio Hosokawa, Stunden-Blumen | Messiaen, Quartet for the End of Time