The French composer Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992) bestrides the 20th century as a creative genius of the first magnitude. Throughout his life Messiaen produced a steady stream of masterpieces, informed both by his fervent sense of religious feeling and his unique ear for sound. His use of birdsong and Indian and Greek rhythms gave his music an immediately identifiable character. The Quartet for the End of Time was written in 1941 while Messiaen was imprisoned during the Second World War. Using the most sparing and at first sight incompatible instrumentation, he created a haunting musical image of hope in the midst of despair. The Theme and Variations for violin and piano is an equally characteristic and immediately accessible work.