Sunday 17 August 2008

Recreating Messiaen

Jessica Duchen author
Philippe Graffin violin
Charles Owen piano

Includes the UK premiere of the recently recovered Messiaen Fantaisie pour violon et piano

Musicologist and novelist Jessica Duchen in conversation about her use of music to inspire her literature and the background to the play which is given its world premiere in English this evening. Jessica also talks about her collaborations with Philippe Graffin and Fantasie for violin, a recently found early work, which receives its first UK performance.

Celebrating Messiaen

Chen Halevi clarinet
Philippe Graffin violin
Oleg Kogan cello
Charles Owen piano

Jessica Duchen writer/actor
Robert Tear actor

Jessica Duchen A Walk Through the End of Time
Messiaen Quatuor pour la fin du temps

In celebration of the centenary of one of France’s greatest ever composers, a world premiere performance in English of a new play by novelist and critic Jessica Duchen, followed by a performance of Oliver Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time. The play is inspired by how Messiaen’s popular work came to be written and performed in 1941 in collaboration with the fellow prisoners - and guards! – of Stalag VIIIA in Silesia. This study of how music can transcend even the most bitter conflict brings the LDSM 2008 International Festival, and its thematic strand of Music Between the Wars, to an emotional and inspiring climax.