Louise Bessette, Cameron Crozman, Dominic Desautels & Mark Lee - Quatuor Pour La Fin Du Temps & Fantaisie (2026)


I fully recognize the stature of Quatuor pour la fin du Temps, but as a listening experience this particular recording leaves me more respectful than engaged. The playing is careful, intelligent, and faithful, yet it rarely pulls me inside the music’s spiritual or temporal suspension. Messiaen’s language still fascinates on paper — rhythm, modes, birdsong, time-fracture — but here it often feels presented rather than inhabited. Fantaisie adds context, but not enough contrast to fundamentally change the arc. I appreciate the seriousness and discipline, but emotionally it stays cooler than I want it to.

Pros

  1. Canonical repertoire, handled seriously – No shortcuts, no vulgar dramatization; the work’s architecture is respected.

  2. Clarity and balance – Ensemble interplay is clean, rhythms are intelligible, textures never collapse into blur.

  3. Thoughtful coupling – Fantaisie offers historical framing and a gentler entry point into Messiaen’s world.

Cons

  1. Limited emotional pull – Feels correct more than transcendent; the spiritual weight doesn’t fully land.

  2. Low risk interpretation – Careful pacing, but few moments feel dangerous or revelatory.

  3. Demanding without sufficient payoff – Requires focus, yet doesn’t always reward it with immersion or catharsis.





Genre: Classical
Country: France/Canada

Final Verdict: 65% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 28th / 101

Highlight: Quatuor pour la fin du Temps: V. Louange à l’Éternité de Jésus


Made me think of:
Tashi Quartet
Quartetto Messiaen
Trio Wanderer

#newalbum #newalbum2026 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery
#Classical #LouiseBessette, CameronCrozman, DominicDesautels & MarkLee #France/Canada
#LP #Album #release

 

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