France, 2001, modern classical / chamber music
Jean Pasquier, André Vacellier, Étienne Pasquier, Olivier Messiaen – Quatuor pour la fin du temps: This particular recording of this eight-movement chamber piece was recorded in 1956, but its history goes back to the Second World War, when the composer (and pianist on this recording) wrote the music while detained in Germany as a prisoner of war. The prison camp was where Messiaen first performed this piece, too, along with three other fellow prisoners. Translated as “Quartet for the End of Time”, this haunting piece of meditative music maintains a somber tone throughout.
Museum Musica 