Prom 67: Quartet for the End of Time September 4, 2008

A late-night opportunity to hear one of the most luminous chamber works of the 20th century.

Olivier Messiaen was a prisoner of war in a German camp, Stalag VIII-A in Görlitz (now Zgorzelec, Poland), and - encountering a clarinettist, violinist and cellist there - he set about writing a work for them, with himself in mind as pianist.

The resulting Quartet for the End of Time was first heard on 15 January 1941 before a huge audience of prisoners and prison guards. 'Never was I listened to with such rapt attention and comprehension,' Messiaen later said.

Four of today's finest young musicians come together to perform this extraordinary work. Martin Fröst returns for his second performance of the season, having performed Anders Hillborg's clarinet concerto in Prom 37.

* Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time (50 mins)

There will be no interval

Martin Frõst clarinet
Anthony Marwood violin
Matthew Barley cello
Thomas Larcher piano

Official Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2008/whatson/0409.shtml#prom67