Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time by Messiaen, Du (2024/2024), Southbank Centre, Londres, Royaume-Uni

Hear one of the essential compositions of the twentieth century performed by four musicians from the Philharmonia Orchestra in this free early evening concert. The quartet was written in a German prisoner of war camp in 1941, and premiered by Messiaen and three fellow-prisoners. Recalling that first performance, to an audience of 400 prisoners and guards, the composer said: “Never have I been listened to with such rapt attention and understanding”. Taking its imagery from the biblical Book of Revelation, the music is by turns ecstatic and apocalyptic, troubled and serene.