Olivier Messiaen's "Quartet for the End of Time" is widely regarded as one of the most important chamber music works of the 20th century. It is a world unto itself, a profound meditation on the concept of eternity – and due to its status as a resistance work, it has been an integral part of the standard European classical repertoire for generations. As such, "Quartet" remains the oldest piece in the repertoire of the New York-based Anzu Quartet, whose members – Olivia De Prato (violin), Ashley Bathgate (cello), Ken Thomson (clarinet), and Karl Larson (piano) – view the work as a catalyst for much of the contemporary music they perform today. Inspired by the acclaimed 1976 recording by the TASHI Quartet, the group follows in great footsteps and delves into the original score with a fresh sense of rhythmic vitality to convey Messiaen's key work today as powerfully as when he composed it as a prisoner of war in 1940-41. Included is a detailed accompanying text by Karl Larson (pianist of the Anzu Quartet) and notes by TASHI cellist Fred Sherry on the group's 1976 recording and their conversations with the composer.