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Syntilla · Post by **Syntilla** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 2:30 pm

Pierre Boulez, one of the most influential composers of the past hundred years, died on Tuesday, aged 90.

Between Boulez at the BBC and Rattle at the CBSO, I guess I never really stood much chance of finding 'new' music difficult; and Boulez's own music is so much part of the air we breath, it's difficult to imagine anyone having ever considered it challenging.

The 'undisputed genius' is perhaps a rarer figure than we might care to imagine; another one just left the stage.

Zombie Queen · Post by **Zombie Queen** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 2:36 pm

RIP and hat off.

Laguna Rising · Post by **Laguna Rising** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 2:46 pm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Boulez

R.i.p.

StudioDave · Post by **StudioDave** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 2:51 pm

Wow. Sad news, very sorry to read of his demise. Boulez was a Titan, one of the true post-war geniuses. Many years ago I had the great pleasure of watching him conduct two nights of music at Royce Hall at UCLA (had to miss a third night because I was gigging). The program included an awesome performance of Elliott Carter's Symphony For Three Orchestras and his own Pli Selon Pli. I thought I'd gone to contemporary music heaven. IIRC I think he also put Schoenberg's Erwartung on the program.

After the concert series he also participated in an open discussion with Elliott Carter. Unforgettable times back then, I was studying composition privately with a teacher from CalArts, things were booming on the new music scene in LA.

RIP to another giant gone.

Best,

dp

stanlea · Post by **stanlea** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 4:00 pm

He also had deep views about music, art and society.

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 4:19 pm

He was an amazing and influential figure.

He also hired John Chowning when Stanford failed to recognize his talents. And as I recently posted in another topic, it was John who first introduced me to synthesis. Therefore, in a very real and tangible way, I might not be here if it had not been for Pierre Boulez!

Rest in peace.

Nightpolymath · Post by **Nightpolymath** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 8:51 pm

RIP. I am more acquainted with his work as a conductor, and was a big fan of his expansive Mahler cycle and complete Webern anthology.

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 8:54 pm

Sad stuff

Frank Zappa was crazy about him.

Mister Natural · Post by **Mister Natural** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:00 pm

RIP

wasn't he the first to use the phrase "Musique Concrete" ?

phutMel · Post by **phutMel** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 1:35 am

I got into Boulez through his work with Zappa. He made a lot of wonderful music.

D.H. Miltz · Post by **D.H. Miltz** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 1:54 am

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 2:43 am

One of a kind. A great loss.

Mister Natural wrote:wasn't he the first to use the phrase "Musique Concrete" ?

I think Schaeffer came up with the term, but Boulez was definitely an early proponent and practitioner.

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:18 am

Syntilla · Post by **Syntilla** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 1:54 pm

StudioDave wrote: IIRC

No matter how many times I see that abbreviation, I still always initially mis-read it as IRCAM.

StudioDave · Post by **StudioDave** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 8:09 pm

Syntilla wrote:
StudioDave wrote: IIRC
No matter how many times I see that abbreviation, I still always initially mis-read it as IRCAM.

Fine by me.

It's a unique place.

Best,

dp

Pierre Boulez RIP