Released to celebrate the centenary of the composer's birth, this recording of Messiaen's chamber works, including the premiere recording of Fantaisie, is a comprehensive collection with highly informative booklet notes by Messiaen expert Nigel Simeone. Messiaen: Chamber Works marries the chamber works of one of the finest 20th century composers with the renowned interpretive skills of contemporary music specialists the Hebrides Ensemble. Quatour pour la fin du Temps, written and premiered in a POW camp, is one of the most remarkable works to have come out of World War II. The Hebrides Ensemble powerfully conveys its apocalyptic inspiration and message of faith.

Messiaen: Chamber Works includes the first recording of Fantaisie, a work for violin and piano, thought to be lost until it was re-discovered by Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen and then published in 2007. The Theme and Variations was Messiaen's first piece of instrumental chamber music and was considered by the composer to be one of his best.