The Charm of Impossibilities
The Charm of Impossibilities In honour of Messiaen's centenary of birth, medici arts presents a fascinating musical documentary. Olivier Messiaen (1908--1992), one of the most legendary and impressing French composers and organists of the 20th century, wrote his famous „Quatuor pour la fin du temps" when he was a prisoner of war. Inspired by the visionary language of the apocalypse, evoked in the movement tiles, Messiaen's „Quatuor pour la fin du temps" is one of the most remarkable works to have come out of the World War II, composed by a musician whose religious faith was a constant inspiration, even in the most arduous circumstances. The film describes in a very sensible and moving way the atmosphere of the premiere performance in a World War II German prison camp, intertwined with reminiscences of the surviving musicians, including an interview with Olivier Messiaen. A touching documentary, which reflects the capacity of the human being Messiaen, who creates in the most unfavourable circumstances: „The charm of impossibilities". The first-class performance of the piece and a wealth of images - from archival material and the wintry landscape of the camp today to symbolic dancing - make this film a highly expressionist approach to one of the most fascinating pieces of chamber music and a wonderful homage to a great composer on his 100th anniversary. REPERTOIRE: Messiaen: „Quatuor pour la fin du temps" PERFORMERS: François-René Duchâble, piano; Paul Meyer, clarinet; Régis Pasquier, violine; Roland Pidoux, cello
