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For the End of Time: The Story of the Messiaen Quartet,New
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Olivier Messiaen (1908'1992) was one of the great composers of the twentieth century. The premiere of the French composer's Quartet for the End of Time on January 15, 1941 at 4 degrees Fahrenheit in Stalag VIII A, a Nazi prison camp, has been called one of the great stories of twentiethcentury music. A devout Catholic with an interest in mysticism and the supernatural, Messiaen was also a poet and an accomplished amateur ornithologist. He mixed sounds as a painter mixes colors, associating specific shades with certain modes and chords.This book is the first comprehensive history of the composition and premiere of the Quartet for the End of Time. Based on testimonies by the musicians and their families, witnesses to the premiere, former prisoners, and on documents from Stalag VIII A, For the End of Time examines the events that led to the Quartet's composition, the experiences of the musicians in the camp, the contradictory accounts, the composer's interpretive preferences, and the musicians'problems in execution and how they affected the premiere and subsequent performances. Rebecca Rischin explores the musicians'life in the prison camp, their relationships with each other and with the German camp officials, and their intriguing fortunes before and after the momentous premiere.For the End of Time is distinguished by Rischin's extensive interviews and intimate correspondence with camp survivors who witnessed the Quartet's premiere and members of the Messiaen circle, including the cellist Etienne Pasquier and the violinist Jean Le Boulaire, relatives of the clarinetist Henri Akoka, and Messiaen's widow, Yvonne Loriod. The book is generously illustrated with photographs of the musicians, press releases from the premiere, autographs, letters, and penandink drawings of the camp's layout. Included are wartime photos of the camp and its prisoners along with presentday views of the camp site, which Rischin visited in 1995.
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- Q: What is 'For the End of Time: The Story of the Messiaen Quartet' about? A: This book provides a comprehensive history of Olivier Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time, focusing on its composition and premiere during World War II in a Nazi prison camp.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Rebecca Rischin, who conducted extensive interviews and research to document the history of the Quartet and its musicians.
- Q: What are the main themes explored in the book? A: The book explores themes of music, survival, relationships among musicians under duress, and the historical context of the premiere at Stalag VIII A.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book consists of 184 pages.
- Q: Is this book a paperback edition? A: Yes, 'For the End of Time' is available in paperback.
- Q: When was this book published? A: The book was published on March 13, 2006.
- Q: What type of illustrations are included in the book? A: The book includes photographs, press releases, autographs, letters, and drawings related to the camp and the Quartet's premiere.
- Q: Is the book suitable for someone not familiar with music theory? A: Yes, the book is written to be accessible to a general audience, providing historical context and personal stories without requiring in-depth music theory knowledge.
- Q: Does the book cover the experiences of the musicians during the war? A: Yes, it examines the lives and challenges faced by the musicians while they were imprisoned and details their experiences before, during, and after the premiere.
- Q: Are there any interviews with survivors in the book? A: Yes, the book features extensive interviews and correspondence with camp survivors and members of the Messiaen circle.