We need to restore the spirit of irreverence in music.

August 17, 2004 9:01 AM

The Pierre Boulez Project. (via Alex Ross)
posted by kenko (3 comments total)

I dunno, I like the Boulez that I have and probably wouldn't want it destroyed. For those who don't like his own compositions (although Le Martinau Sans Maitre is quite listenable, I think), I recommend the complete works of Webern boxed set -- one of the better investments in 20th century music.
posted by CommaTheWaterseller at 10:06 AM on August 17, 2004

I've never heard his music, though I think I have a CD on which he conducts. I just think it's a funny project.
posted by kenko at 10:10 AM on August 17, 2004

The BBC broadcast a series of Boulez lectures on Twentieth century repertoire about 15 years ago - in French, with subtitles. He was conducting the examples as he went along. One of the best pieces of pedagogy I've ever seen - it really switched me on to the pieces (including some I'd heard before and, up to that point, never got on with). I remember Messiaen's Oiseaux Exotiques was in there, along with one of his own pieces. I remember his being a weak point - whether because of the music itself, or because he had some difficulty communicating his own intentions. Wish I could get hold of them now, though. An incredible communicator and a great musician, even if he's not a top-notch composer...
posted by monkey closet at 2:42 AM on August 18, 2004