WORCESTER, Mass. – The College of the Holy Cross and the Holy Cross Chamber Players will present a festival of concerts and a symposium celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of French composer Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992), titled “Musical Visions of Jesus and Eternity: Olivier Messiaen and his Quartet for the End of Time.” One of the most important composers of the 20th century, Messiaen’s unique style was shaped by his devout Catholic faith. The series, which runs from Nov. 23 – Dec. 7, will focus on his music and theology. All events are free, open to the public, and at the College, unless otherwise noted.
Highlights include two performances by the Holy Cross Chamber Players of the Quartet for the End of Time, which Messiaen composed in a German prisoner-of-war camp during World War II; a concert of his organ music; and a symposium featuring two leading Messiaen scholars.
Concerts:
Sunday, November 23; 3 p.m., St. Joseph’s Memorial Chapel
“Hommage à Olivier Messiaen” will feature Messiaen’s organ music performed by James David Christie, professor of music at Holy Cross; Jacob Street, Holy Cross Class of 2010; Alison M. Zangari, Holy Cross Class of 2009; and Jan Müller-Szeraws, lecturer in cello at Holy Cross.
Tuesday, December 2; 8 p.m., Brooks Concert Hall
Under the direction of Carol Lieberman, associate professor of music at Holy Cross, the Holy Cross Chamber Players will perform the Quartet for the End of Time for violin, clarinet, cello and piano; Trois Mélodies for soprano and piano; and Visions de l’Amen for two pianos. Performers include Lieberman on the violin; clarinetist Thomas Hill; pianist Randall Hodgkinson; pianist Leslie Amper; cellist Ronald Feldman, lecturer in cello at Holy Cross; and soprano Jennifer Ashe, lecturer in voice at Holy Cross.
Sunday, December 7; 3 p.m., Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, Mass.
The Quartet for the End of Time, will be performed by Lieberman, Hill, Feldman and Hodgkinson; and Trois Mélodies for soprano and piano, with Ashe and Amper.
Symposium:
“Olivier Messiaen, His Life as a Catholic, as a Composer, and as a Prisoner-Of-War”
Friday, December 5; 3 p.m., Rehm Library, Smith Hall
Featured speakers include Rebecca Rischin, associate professor of clarinet at the School of Music at the University of Ohio, and Rev. Stephen Schloesser, S.J., associate professor of history at Boston College. Rischin will discuss her most recent book, For the End of Time: The Story of the Messiaen Quartet (Cornell University Press, 2003). Schloesser will discuss his paper on Olivier Messiaen, “The Charm of Impossibilities.” Distinguished members of the College’s faculty from the departments of religious studies, history, visual arts and music will also participate.