# Olivier Messiaen — Quatuor pour la fin du temps

Olivier Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la fin du temps (1941) is No. 4 in our Modernism ranking. The full verdict, and where to hear it.

- **Released:** 1941
- **On one list:** Modernism
- **Updated:** 2026-08-30
- **Artist:** [Olivier Messiaen](https://waxonia.com/artist/olivier-messiaen/)
- **Canonical page:** https://waxonia.com/track/olivier-messiaen--quatuor-pour-la-fin-du-temps/

## What we say

### No. 4 in [Modernism](https://waxonia.com/genre/modernism/)

Written and first performed in a prisoner-of-war camp, for the four instruments available. Birdsong, non-retrogradable rhythm, and an unembarrassed faith that the circumstances make impossible to patronise.

## Listen

[Search Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/search/Olivier%20Messiaen%20Quatuor%20pour%20la%20fin%20du%20temps) · [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=QAQmZvxVffY)

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Hand-curated by Waxonia. We host no audio; all links point to streaming platforms.