Olivier Messiaen - Oraison arranged for string quartet

Olivier Messiaen was one of the most extraordinary composers of the 20th century. He never composed for string quartet, but his Quartet for the End of Time belongs to the absolute summit of the chamber music genre. Written in 1940 as a prisoner of war, both the music itself and the story of its conception and premiere helped turn it into an instant classic. The fifth movement “Louange à l’éternité de Jésus“ actually is a transcription of music Messiaen composed three years before, titled “Oraison“. This original version, for four Ondes Martenots (), inspired us to re-imagine the piece as a string quartet: a constellation which is able to infuse the electronically sustained sound of the Ondes Martenots with the breathing voice of acoustic instruments. -- The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam can keep creating content like this via private sponsors and donations. A quick way to make a one-time donation can be found here: