Quartett für das Ende der Zeit. Olivier Messiaen

The only chamber music work by Olivier Messiaen, the "Quartet for the End of Time" (1940-41), is one of his most important works. This composition includes birdcalls, colors, ostinato layers of irreversible rhythms, Indian rhythms, polyrhythmic structures, modes with limited transposition possibilities, melodic formations based on models of Gregorian chant, condensations of musical structure to the point of inaudibility, number symbolism (prime numbers), and color associations. These aspects reflect Messiaen's strong theological influence in the composition, evident through a thorough analysis of each movement.