Music for Time

Join Hebrides Ensemble for an evening of extraordinary music that speaks across generations, exploring light, faith, and the unbreakable human spirit. 

Written during the composer’s imprisonment in a German POW camp, Oliver Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time is a testament to hope and transcendence in the face of unimaginable hardship. Its ethereal colours, spiritual intensity, and moments of profound stillness have made it a touchstone for generations of listeners.

In dialogue with Messiaen’s masterpiece, Hebrides Ensemble premieres a new work by Arthur Keegan, commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society. Keegan’s composition takes Messiaen’s ideas of eternity and renewal as a starting point, creating a contemporary reflection on faith, fragility, and the passing of time. 

Together, these two works offer a powerful evening of music that reaches beyond history — where sound becomes remembrance, renewal and hope.

Programme:

Arthur Keegan new work
Oliver Messiaen The Quartet for the End of Time

Presented by Hebrides Ensemble