Just like the Pierre Boulez Saal, the Boulez Ensemble embodies flexibility and programmatic openness. In this anniversary season honoring the visionary artist for whom it was named, the ensemble is led by notable guest conductors to perform some of Boulez’s groundbreaking compositions, making them the starting points for fascinating musical exchanges between the past and the present.
Programs include Le Marteau sans maître, the revolutionary composition from the 1950s, which will be conducted by Thomas Guggeis in the season-opening concert; the astonishing late work sur Incises, previously heard at the Pierre Boulez Saal for the hall’s inauguration in 2017; and, for the very first time here, excerpts from Boulez’s most expansive score, Pli selon pli. Last but not least, there is also the anniversary of another composer who was a major influence for Boulez: in celebration of Arnold Schoenberg’s 150th birthday, Zubin Mehta conducts Pierrot lunaire and the Chamber Symphony.
The only works of art that are interesting to me are those which allow for a change of perspective PIERRE BOULEZ