Quatuor pour la fin du temps

Olivier Messiaen wrote his Quatuor pour la fin du temps during World War II in a prisoner-of-war camp. The work premiered there as well, leaving an indelible mark on all who heard it. This poignant piece has since become one of the most iconic compositions of the 20th century. 

Messiaen wanted to express the end of times through music. The effect on both the performers and those who hear it is a feeling of inevitability, though it also provides comfort. You don’t simply listen to this work, but you experience it. This performance is further intensified by the participation of Daniel Montero Real, a dancer at the Dutch National Ballet.