Olivier Messiaen: Quatuor pour la fin du temps

This recording was made in one of the studios of Bayerischer Rundfunk in the course of my collaboration with Alfons Kontarsky. For many years Alfons had played exclusively in the legendary piano duo with his brother Aloys. After the tragic illness of his brother he was available, which gave me the opportunity to work with him. I will never forget the admiration with which I breathlessly listened to the cellist Walter Nothas, who performed his heart-moving solo movement perfectly relaxed in one go, carefully supported by Alfons on the piano: perfect, and with a tonal brilliance that still makes me green with friendly envy today.

Whether one is a Christian or not, no one can escape the spirituality of this work.