Pierre Boulez (1925-2016)

[Mirror Image]

Heard Sur Incises for the first time, always nice to find a Boulez gem. It was love at first listen 

Very cool work, indeed. Give Incises a listen as well (if you haven't already).

[staxomega]

Very cool work, indeed. Give Incises a listen as well (if you haven't already).

I did revisit it, for some reason this one still isn't of that much interest to me but I can't really articulate why. I do like all his piano sonatas.

[Mirror Image]

I did revisit it, for some reason this one still isn't of that much interest to me but I can't really articulate why. I do like all his piano sonatas.

I'm the opposite. I don't really enjoy the piano sonatas and, if we're talking about solo piano, then the Notations and Incises definitely tops my list, but I just can't get into those sonatas. Sur Incises, for me, is, as I've described before, like a Gamelan orchestra filtered through the Second Viennese School.

[staxomega]

I'm the opposite. I don't really enjoy the piano sonatas and, if we're talking about solo piano, then the Notations and Incises definitely tops my list, but I just can't get into those sonatas. Sur Incises, for me, is, as I've described before, like a Gamelan orchestra filtered through the Second Viennese School.

I am not sure why but when I hear Incises I keep wishing for an accompaniment like violin to go with it. This is very hard to describe why... even Piano Sonata 3 which is not that dissimilar stylistically seems to make sense on solo keyboard.

Well we're in agreement on Sur Incises, this will be a heavy rotation piece   

[Mirror Image]

I am not sure why but when I hear Incises I keep wishing for an accompaniment like violin to go with it. This is very hard to describe why... even Piano Sonata 3 which is not that dissimilar stylistically seems to make sense on solo keyboard.

Well we're in agreement on Sur Incises, this will be a heavy rotation piece 

I need to listen to Incises again. I haven't really spent a lot of time with Boulez's music, but quite enjoyed what I've heard in the DG box, although, again, I won't claim to be a great fan of those sonatas. I keep meaning to get around to the orchestral arrangement of Notations, but I keep getting sidetracked and I've really been wanting to hear this work since watching Boulez conduct some of in a documentary about the Lucerne Festival Orchestra I watched many nights ago.

[Mirror Image]

I finally gave the orchestral Notations a listen and, damn, this was great. It reminded me of a hybrid between the Second Viennese School, Stravinsky, and Bartók (especially in the frantic, but controlled rhythms used at various points). I'll definitely be revisiting this work soon.

[Uhor]

The orchestral notations is the work in which Boulez finally and thoroughly learned how to orchestrate, an exeptional work.

[Mirror Image]

The orchestral notations is the work in which Boulez finally and thoroughly learned how to orchestrate, an exeptional work.

He didn't know how to orchestrate prior to the Notations? One of earliest works he composed for orchestra (but not strictly orchestra) was Le Visage nuptial, although I could be wrong about this and have some dates mixed up.

[staxomega]

I need to listen to Incises again. I haven't really spent a lot of time with Boulez's music, but quite enjoyed what I've heard in the DG box, although, again, I won't claim to be a great fan of those sonatas. I keep meaning to get around to the orchestral arrangement of Notations, but I keep getting sidetracked and I've really been wanting to hear this work since watching Boulez conduct some of in a documentary about the Lucerne Festival Orchestra I watched many nights ago.

Have you heard Pollini play the second piano sonata? I found his interpretation so exceptional that I started to appreciate Boulez's sonatas much more after that. There are many recordings from skilled pianists but Pollini seems to really capture the atmosphere magnificently. Maybe by my own advice I haven't heard the right Incises

In a sort of weird coincidence I came across the Boulez Conducts Boulez and 20th Century box within a short time for reasonable amounts, so I'll be listening to a bunch of his music and others he has conducted for the first time.

Maybe not so weird, on more than one occasion I've overpaid for some rare item I never see for sale come up shortly afterward for less. A curse 

[Mirror Image]

Have you heard Pollini play the second piano sonata? I found his interpretation so exceptional that I started to appreciate Boulez's sonatas much more after that. There are many recordings from skilled pianists but Pollini seems to really capture the atmosphere magnificently. Maybe by my own advice I haven't heard the right Incises

In a sort of weird coincidence I came across the Boulez Conducts Boulez and 20th Century box within a short time for reasonable amounts, so I'll be listening to a bunch of his music and others he has conducted for the first time.

Maybe not so weird, on more than one occasion I've overpaid for some rare item I never see for sale come up shortly afterward for less. A curse 

Well, I own the Boulez Complete Works DG set and Pollini's performance of the 2nd Piano Sonata is in this set. Yes, I agree the performance is exceptional, but I can't get onboard with the music. These piano sonatas are just impenetrable for me. I love solo piano music, but there has to be some kind of access point into the music for me and, unfortunately, I've found none in these works, but that's quite alright as I do like Notations and Incises. One cannot like everything one hears of course. Too bad you didn't buy the Boulez Complete on DG when it was still in-print.

The box set in question:

[staxomega]

Well, I own the Boulez Complete Works DG set and Pollini's performance of the 2nd Piano Sonata is in this set. Yes, I agree the performance is exceptional, but I can't get onboard with the music. These piano sonatas are just impenetrable for me. I love solo piano music, but there has to be some kind of access point into the music for me and, unfortunately, I've found none in these works, but that's quite alright as I do like Notations and Incises. One cannot like everything one hears of course. Too bad you didn't buy the Boulez Complete on DG when it was still in-print.

The box set in question:

That is the one, not sure why I called it Boulez Conducts Boulez. I haven't cracked it open yet, still working my way through the big Boulez 20th Century box.

[Uhor]

He didn't know how to orchestrate prior to the Notations? One of earliest works he composed for orchestra (but not strictly orchestra) was Le Visage nuptial, although I could be wrong about this and have some dates mixed up.

I mean it in the same way Richard Strauss famously commented at the dress rehearsal for An Alpine Symphony's premiere that at last he had learned to orchestrate.

[Mirror Image]

That is the one, not sure why I called it Boulez Conducts Boulez. I haven't cracked it open yet, still working my way through the big Boulez 20th Century box.

Very nice.

[Mandryka]

I was very surprised to find this hour long interview with Boulez on Proust at the College de France, it's light, and amusing if you're interested in Proust. (In French)

https://www.college-de-france.fr/site/antoine-compagnon/seminar-2013-04-02-17h30.htm

[ritter]

I was very surprised to find this hour long interview with Boulez on Proust at the College de France, it's light, and amusing if you're interested in Proust. (In French)

https://www.college-de-france.fr/site/antoine-compagnon/seminar-2013-04-02-17h30.htm

Most interesting, thanks for posting. It is strange to see how PB at 88 has some failings with his memory, but has so many interesting things to say, and despite his slower expression, the alertness of his mind shines through. Particularly illuminating his comments on Wagner (which, unsurprisingly, show a deep understanding and love for his work). And (again unsurprisingly) how strong his contempt for Reynaldo Hahn was...

[Mandryka]

Vulgarity

https://www.youtube.com/v/LTeyKKESvYw

Genius

https://www.youtube.com/v/rGH6zKayJcE

According to Boulez -- I'm inclined to agree.

[ritter]

Perhaps, but TBH neither of the versions you posted does justice to the pieces being performed. The Fauré with a blues singer à la française (more suited for the Bobino than the Salle Pleyel), the Hahn with a shrill soprano, in an atrocious arrangement for harp (and at breakneck speed). The Hahn is of course no masterpiece, but when well performed, is rather charming (with its languorous, habanera-like piano part).

https://www.youtube.com/v/o2h-AYcWZaM

Sorry to remain off-topic. 

[Mahlerian]

He didn't know how to orchestrate prior to the Notations? One of earliest works he composed for orchestra (but not strictly orchestra) was Le Visage nuptial, although I could be wrong about this and have some dates mixed up.

I know this is a month late, but you're not wrong, though the final version of Visage dates from after the first round of orchestral Notations and shows the full experience that he had gained as a result.

[vers la flamme]

Happy birthday to maestro Boulez...



The greatest composer-conductor since Mahler? I say yes...

Who's listening to Boulez today...? So far I've listened to the piano Notations and now Le Marteau sans maître. I hope to hear Répons later in the day as well. And perhaps also the Piano Sonata No.2

[staxomega]

Happy birthday to maestro Boulez...



The greatest composer-conductor since Mahler? I say yes...

Who's listening to Boulez today...? So far I've listened to the piano Notations and now Le Marteau sans maître. I hope to hear Répons later in the day as well. And perhaps also the Piano Sonata No.2

Lots of Boulez here recently; Sur Incises, Messagesquisse, Images Pour Orchestre, Repons, Le Marteau sans Maitre just off the top of my head and many more. Very easily my favorite composer/conductor.