Pierre Boulez Overview

Born in 1925 in Montbrison, France, Pierre Boulez attended university to study mathematics -- a subject that proved crucial to the theories that would serve as the foundation for his music. In 1943, he left math for his new calling, studying... [more]

Born in 1925 in Montbrison, France, Pierre Boulez attended university to study mathematics -- a subject that proved crucial to the theories that would serve as the foundation for his music. In 1943, he left math for his new calling, studying with Messiaen at the Paris Conservatoire until 1945. He presented his first original compositions shortly thereafter. At the start of his career, Boulez was torn between two strong musical influences: the 12-tone system introduced by Schoenberg, and the vaguely Oriental style of Messiaen. Once he found his own direction, his true genius became apparent. His incredible sensitivity for nuances and variations of tone color, both in instrumentation and in vocal lines, allowed him to filter the jarring, dissonant sounds of his earlier style through a serial structure, resulting in an infinitely complex, interwoven tapestry of sound. In the early 1950s Boulez began to conduct; he demonstrated the same ability to draw a myriad of subtle shadings and nuances from other composers' work as he had with his own. Soon he was in high demand throughout the world, conducting the Cleveland Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic, to name just a few. During his 50-year career, Pierre Boulez has distinguished himself in nearly every musical capacity. Currently, he is a renowned teacher, conductor, and author. He continues to compose, and serves as director at the world's most advanced center for new music research. [show less]