Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time

Olivier Messiaen (Composer), Amici Ensemble (Performer), Patricia Parr (Performer, Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Amici Ensemble, Patricia Parr
• Orchestra: Patricia Parr
• Composer: Olivier Messiaen
• Audio CD (June 19, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00005COXS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,998 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great performance, June 4, 2007

By 

Thomas Martin "sonomatom" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time (Audio CD)

..irrespective of price. Another winner for Naxos and collectors of great music!.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good (if not perfect) option indeed, April 7, 2009

By 

G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time (Audio CD)

Naxos has given us several fine Messiaen releases, and this version of the Quatuor is certainly one of them, even if it isn't, in the end, a first choice. The Amici Ensemble puts in some superb touches and some movements are truly wondrous, but there are still certain inaccuracies (the rhythm in the final movement) and questionable choices with respect to interpretation. To take some of the strengths, however: The opening of the first movements is marvelous; clearly textured, hauntingly evocative and perfectly judged in terms of balance between the instruments. Indeed, the following two movements are fabulous as well, both in the dreamlike second movement and the solo clarinet third (Valdepeñas technical abilities are truly remarkable, as is his interpretive approach). The Intermède sounds a little lacking in intensity (but it is still beautiful) and the Louange is unfortunately not as sublime as one could wish for - it is just a little too earthy and sentimental. The Danse de la fureur is very satisfying, however, but in the last two movements something of the ethereal sublimity is again missing, and while the second Louange is generally good, there is the aforementioned problems with rhythm. Sound quality is generally fine, though, and at the price I think no one will be disappointed with this one.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eerily moving, August 6, 2000

By 

Aaron Humphrey (Alamosa, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olivier Messiaen: Quatuor pour la Fin du Temps (Audio CD)

Without question this is one of the best pieces of chamber music I have ever heard. It's unlike anything I've ever heard(even other Messiaen works), and what really struck me about it is how simplistic it is, yet, somehow, within such simplicity is awe-inspiring depth. Anyone who can appreciate 20th century music should most definitely look into this incredible work.