Pierre Boulez (1925-2016)

[lescamil]

http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/10-great-works-20th-century-pierre-boulezs-90th-birthday/

Anyone else see this? Even though the last one is funny, considering who wrote it, it's a very good list, even if I don't entirely agree with it. I've listened to Répons a lot lately, especially a few recent broadcast recordings, and I hear new things in it every time. Such a great piece.

[Karl Henning]

The man firmly convinced that his artistic blindspots are his signal virtue 

(Oh, and his "Mini Me," too.)

[Karl Henning]

Another criticism aimed at Boulez is even harder to understand. He seems to be held accountable for pointing out that there is music that matters and music that does not.

I do not see that at all.  There is a substantial population on GMG who agree with the principle that some artworks matter more than others.  (I think there must be an interesting discussion to be had on the question "Is there some art which does not matter, at all?")  I think one can object artistically and intellectually to Boulez's particularly prejudices (and the prejudices do not become Artistic Truth because, you know, they are Boulez's — not that you believe that, dear chap:  there is someone else flogging that dolphin) without backing into "Well, it's all Great Music, isn't it?"

[San Antone]

As I said in the other thread, it all matters (in a subjective world).  What doesn't matter, IMO, is whether it is "great" or not.  That is a completely unnecessary consideration in order to appreciate a piece of music.

[ritter]

Surprising revelations (shocking, actually) by Boulez in France's ForumOpera: here  

[Abuelo Igor]

Do the French also do the April Fools thing?

[EigenUser]

Do the French also do the April Fools thing?

Poisson d'Avril!

[Ken B]

I do not see that at all.  There is a substantial population on GMG who agree with the principle that some artworks matter more than others.  (I think there must be an interesting discussion to be had on the question "Is there some art which does not matter, at all?")  I think one can object artistically and intellectually to Boulez's particularly prejudices (and the prejudices do not become Artistic Truth because, you know, they are Boulez's — not that you believe that, dear chap:  there is someone else flogging that dolphin) without backing into "Well, it's all Great Music, isn't it?"

Well, it's more snyprrr-like in syntax than is usual for Karl, but I think I agree.

[Mirror Image]

But you should be able to understand the attraction people have to great work, and how over time it gathers meaning. You should also understand critical thinking and what that entails. I enjoy immersing myself in the best things in life .. especially the creative arts, I find the benefits to be enormous, and sure .. I can listen to anything I want to .. but I also like having a basis for comparison to form sound judgements on music & its qualities - to understand what is what, and why, etc.

Zzzzz....

[Karl Henning]

Well, it's more snyprrr-like in syntax than is usual for Karl, but I think I agree.

Must be those Shostakovich quartets I've been listening to . . . .

[Karl Henning]

Zzzzz....

OTOH, James of all people saying "you should understand critical thinking and what that entails":  Priceless.

[Mirror Image]

OTOH, James of all people saying "you should understand critical thinking and what that entails":  Priceless.

It's time for James bingo!

[Karl Henning]

Oh, boy! If there is one work by Boulez I'd love to hear LIVE it would be Le Marteau!

+ 1

[lescamil]

Seems like the sort of thing that should be taken into private messages...

Anyhow, here, have a live recording of Rituel that I found recently:

http://www.npo.nl/ntr-podium/27-09-2011/NPS_1190073

[ritter]

https://www.youtube.com/v/dYdOjdP5-oI

Thanks for this, James... AFAIK, this is the only published arrangement by Boulez of music by another composer. Ravel's original Frontispice for two pianos (5 hands!) is an enigmatic little piece, and this orchestration is quite brilliant, I'd say. Until now, it could only be heard (with the last couple of seconds annoyingly truncated) in the webpage of Universal Edition. Great to have it available in Pintscher and the EIC's performance...

[ritter]

Surprisingly, he made 2 arrangements .. one for ensemble published in 1987 (it's listed separately), then in 2007 this lavish orchestration.
Is there any press out there of him talking about it? And UE's site is missing some scores (i.e. Livre pour Cordes) .. withdrawn? other publisher?

I don't recall having read anything by Boulez himself on this arrangement...
The YouTube you posted, though, is the 1987 version (see the credits at the end). The 2007 seems to be for expanded forces.

As for the Livre pour cordes, it's published by Heugel (now part of Alphonse Leduc), as are the Livre pour quatour, Le Soleil des eaux and Le Visage nuptial. Here's the link: http://www.alphonseleduc.com/EN/recherche.php?q=boulez

Cheers,

[Artem]

Beautiful orchestration. Never heard it before. I don't want to spark an out of place argument, but it sounds very Feldman like to me, in a good way.

[Artem]

I'm thinking about this piece https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiVhS20ES3k

[EigenUser]

As for the Livre pour cordes, it's published by Heugel (now part of Alphonse Leduc), as are the Livre pour quatour, Le Soleil des eaux and Le Visage nuptial. Here's the link: http://www.alphonseleduc.com/EN/recherche.php?q=boulez

I hate Alphonse-Leduc. They charge an arm and a leg for Messiaen. His opera would cost well over $2000, I think (if you buy all of the acts/tableaux).

I'm thinking about this piece https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiVhS20ES3k

Woah, it does!

[ritter]

That publication doesn't really look like the most trustworthy source for this, Im afraid  . They're just quoting (in passing) reports from a couple of years ago. I had read the Godot opera was a commission for La Scala by Stéphane Lissner (who is no longer at La Scala), but we've never heard of it again. If the première were really to take place in 2105 at a theatre of the calibre of La Scala ior any other major house, it would aleaday appear on their program.

But we can always hope....