Music in Words: Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time

(In Cantonese 粵語主講)

This event is part of For the End of Time: 80 Years of the Messiaen Quartet
這場講座為為時間終結而作：梅湘四重奏首演80周年活動之一

When Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time was premiered during his captivity in a Nazi prison camp, it is said that the four musicians were playing on broken instruments – the cello had only three strings and some piano keys would not bounce back. How much of this account has been fictionalised remains unknown, but it highlights the devastating conditions under which the musicians lived and worked towards the premiere. 80 years later, how do musicians today relate to the heaviness of Messiaen’s masterpiece? Hosted by Prof. Chan Hing-yan, quartet members Kitty Cheung (violin), Linus Fung (clarinet), Eric Yip (cello), and Nancy Loo (piano) will share their take.

梅湘在二戰戰俘營寫下《時間終結四重奏》，並夥拍其餘三位營友於獄中首演。有說首演所用的樂器殘破不全，例如大提琴只有三條弦、鋼琴鍵長按不起等等。這些說法的真相雖無從稽考，卻突顯當時環境異常艱困匱乏。時至今日，亮麗新穎的音樂廳與當年攝氏零下20度的戰俘營房形成強烈對比，現場演出這部作品當別有一番感受。音樂會前的「樂語融融」講座，港大音樂系陳慶恩教授將與四位演奏家張文蕊（小提琴）、馮逸山（單簧管）、葉俊禧（大提琴）、羅乃新（鋼琴）對話，分享這部經典帶給他們的啟發。

Rehearsal Room
LG1/F, Run Run Shaw Tower
Centennial Campus
The University of Hong Kong

FREE via online registration

• Patrons under the age of 12 will not be admitted.

• The programme is approximately 45 minutes without intermission. 

• Guests are advised to arrive punctually. No latecomers will be admitted until a suitable break in the programme. 

• Please show the QR code in your confirmation email for admission.

• A temperature check will be conducted upon entry. Anyone with a fever or respiratory symptoms should seek medical advice and will not be admitted.

• Hand sanitising stations are available at the entrance.

• Guests are required to wear masks throughout the event. 

• Programmes and artists are subject to change.