Album Notes

TRACK LISTING

Olivier Messiaen
Quatuor pour la fin du Temps
1. I. Liturgie de cristal
2. II. Vocalise, pour l'Ange qui annonce la fin du Temps
3. III. Abîme des oiseaux
4. IV. Intermède
5. V. Louange à l'Eternité de Jésus
6. VI. Danse de la fureur, pour les sept trompettes
7. VII. Fouillis d'arcs-en-ciel, pour l'Ange qui annonce la fin du Temps
8. VIII. Louange à l'Immortalité de Jésus

Thème et Variations pour violon et piano
9. I. Theme: Modéré
10. II. Variation 1: Modéré (berceur)
11. III. Variation 2: Modéré, un peu vif
12. IV. Varation 3: Modéré, avec éclat
13. V. Variation 4: Vif et passionné
14. VI. Variation 5: Très lent (legatissimo)

REVIEWS

Ongaku recording tops them all
"The recent release of Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time is spectacular both in performance and sound quality. Janice Weber's formidable playing is astounding, her subtle, nearly-inaudible pianissimos ethereal. The magical slow movements capture the mysticism of the work more than my previous recording . The solo violin, cello and clarinet moments are superb.

This is a five-star performance."
--Richard E. Cross, Amazon.com reviewer

The ensemble is excellent, particularly in the unison-passage movements. I was especially impressed with Danse de la fureur, which is as quick and as accurate as any I’ve heard. Each of the musicians also makes a fine showing in solo capacity as well, particularly Cohler in Abîme des oiseaux (duration 9:29).
--Robert Kirzinger, Fanfare Magazine

"This new Quartet recording is striking in its precision, rhythmic vitality and presence, and its ability to capture the composer's timeless ecstacism. The cleanly realized unison playing, such as in the sixth movement...is exciting, and the intonation is impeccable, which is true throughout the piece. The recorded balances are fine throughout the disc...[Mr. Cohler's] phrasing and breath control in the solo 'Abyss' movement is amazing...a stellar entry into the crowded field."
--William Nichols, The Clarinet

"I am using your CD as a model. It's absolutely stunning. I was so impressed by how perfectly in sync and in tune the sixth movement is and also by how delicate is the first movement...The recording is absolutely incredible. The whole thing sets a new standard for recordings of that piece. Congratulations!"
--Rebecca Rischin, Author of "For the End of Time"

The purpose of this recording, as set forth in the (excellent) liner notes, is to adhere "more closely to the artistic desires of Messiaen, as indicated by his detailed markings in the score, his later writings and musings on the work, and his supervised recording of 1991". And these are no ordinary performers...For starters, the ensemble is wonderfully recorded. Each player shines in the extended solo passages. More than that, the unison in VI is breathtaking. By avoiding any vibrato, the sounds of clarinet, strings, and piano mesh into one perfect whole. It's brilliant. The players explore the stillness of the piece to great effect. Tempos are "inexorable" (to use the composer's word) when necessary, but the stillness goes beyond tempo choices. In music without a consistent time signature there is a danger of sounding aimless. Not here. The performers manage to make the music sound like it is unfolding rather than wandering.
--Jason Sundram, American Record Guide