Quartet for the End of Time

with Soloists of the Philharmonia Orchestra

JAMES CLARK concert master
MATTHEW SCHELLHORN piano
BARNABY ROBSON clarinet
DAVID COHEN cello

Messiaen Fantasie for violin and piano
Préludes for piano (selection)
Bartók Contrasts
Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time

Some of the Philharmonia’s top soloists gather for this special performance of one of the most haunting and mystical pieces of any time, The Quartet for the End of Time. The quiet beauty of this quartet belies the fact that Messiaen composed it under terrible conditions - interned in a German prison camp in 1940, in the company of three French musicians, a clarinettist, violinist and cellist. Writing for the only instruments available to him, he prefaced the score with a quotation from the Revelation of St John, “There shall be time no longer” and he set out to “bring the listener closer to eternity in space, to infinity.”

Pianist Matthew Schellhorn is the soloist for a selection of Messiaen’s Préludes, whose striking harmonies and extreme delicacy of expression anticipate similar effects in his Vingt regards sur l’enfant Jésus. Clarinet and violin join him on stage for Bartók’s Contrasts, a lively mix of Hungarian and Romanian dance.

Join us for this evening of extraordinarily moving French music with a complimentary glass of Champagne to savour while strolling through our beautiful gardens.

Venue

St George's Bristol, West End

Dates

Date 19 Jul 2008

Tickets Information

Road Directions

Patrons are strongly advised to use the West End and Trenchard car parks, each within a short walk of St George's Bristol. The car park adjacent to St George's Bristol is not for public use. Please note, there is now a meter charge for evening roadside parking.

Public Transport Directions

Bristol is well served with trains to Bristol Temple Meads from Bath Spa, Cardiff, London Paddington, the South, Birmingham New Street and the North. There is a taxi rank just outside the station and buses numbers 8, 9, 508 and 509 stop at the top and bottom of Park Street. For information on trains call 0345 484950.

 Facilities

Provider Preferences

• In town/city centre

Accessibility

• Accessible to Wheelchair Users

Payment Methods

• Booking essential

Establishment Features

• Cater for groups