麻豆社

Live from the Barbican

Presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch

Total Immersion: Pierre Boulez at 90. The 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra conducted by Thierry Fischer celebrates this iconic composer with two major works: Notations and Pli selon pli.

Boulez: Notations I, VII, IV, III, II

c. 7.50pm: Interval ****

c.8.20pm
Boulez: Pli selon pli
Yeree Suh (soprano)
麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra
Thierry Fischer (conductor)

It's hard to think of a more influential figure in post-war European music than Pierre Boulez. As a composer, conductor, thinker and cultural leader he has interrogated multiple pathways and possibilities in music, and asked the big questions. His relationship with the 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra began in the 1960s, blossomed during his years as Chief Conductor, and went on to sharpen and invigorate the whole British music scene.

Pli selon pli, literally translated as 'fold by fold', is widely regarded as Boulez's seminal masterwork. His distinctive sound world is inspired here by the work of French poet St茅phane Mallarm茅. As the five movements develop, Boulez reveals his portrait of Mallarm茅. Each setting uses intriguing and different instrumental forces. The 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra is joined by celebrated soprano Yeree Suh.

Boulez's 12 Notations for solo piano were composed in 1945, and in the 1970s and 80s he revisited the set - orchestrating five of them. The 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra opens the concert with these miniatures, affording the listener a thrilling insight into the compositional development of a true provocateur.

This is the third of the three concerts in the 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra's Total Immersion: Pierre Boulez at 90 - day of celebration at the Barbican in London.