Olivier Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time premiered on 15 January 1941 in the prisoner-of-war camp where the composer was interned during World War Two. To celebrate the 75th anniversary Sinfini Music commissioned me to create an animation around it. Working with Prof. Marcus du Sautoy I used the piece to explore Messiaen's complex relationship to mathematics, music and religious belief.
simonfarussell.com/Quartet-For-The-End-Of-Time
Animation/Direction: Simon Russell/Vicarage Studio
Commission: Emma Bharj/Sinifini Music
Sound Design: Redhorse Studio
With special thanks to Marcus du Sautoy
Quartet for the End of Time by Olivier Messiaen
Performed by Claude Desurmont (clarinet)
Luben Yordanoff (violin)
Albert Tétard (cello)
Daniel Barenboim (piano)
© 2015 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin