Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was one of the great composers of the twentieth century. The premiere of the French composer's "Quartet for the End of Time on January 15, 1941 at -4 degrees Fahrenheit in Stalag VIIIA, a Nazi prison camp, has been called one of the great stories of twentieth century music The clarinetist Rebecca Rischin has written a captivating book.... Her research dispels several long-cherished myths about the 1941 premiere.... Rischin lovingly brings to life the other musicians—Étienne Pasquier, cellist; Henri Akoka... Preface to the Paperback Edition ix Acknowledgments xi Quartet for the End of Time Movement Titles and Instrumentation xiii Invitation 1(8) The Quartet Begins 9(12) The Quartet in Prison 21(11) Preparing the Premiere 32(17) Intermede 49(12) The Premiere 61(10) The Quartet Free 71(16) After the Quartet 87(14) Into Eternity 101(28) Appendix A: Composer's Preface 129(6) Appendix B: Selected Discography 135(4) Appendix C: Additional Commentary 139(6) Notes 145(18) Bibliography 163(6) Index 169