“…This performance [Quartet for the End of Time] by Het Collectief is expressive and warm, though the strident sections are full of turbulent energy. The piano often seems to play at a veiled distance – a wonderful atmospheric touch – yet comes through clearly enough; the clarinet has a round, rich sonority; the cello and violin are poetic and deeply musical…”

Crescendo Joker

Sound 9      Booklet 8      Repertoire 10     Interpretation 10

***** Coup de cœur

“… Their interpretation [of the Messiaen] and the close-focused recording, featuring an overtone-rich, almost trumpet-like clarinet, are ideal for the episodes dominated by birdsong and dancelike music…”

Pizzicato Supersonic

“…Stalag VIII A by Murail, in its approach to the worlds of his teacher Messiaen, is a prelude that is easy to perform, in which the ensemble carefully and sensitively prepares the way for the quartet. This introductory composition thus offers a sound context from our time, which is a fitting accompaniment to Messiaen’s actually solitary quartet.”