Monday 3 October 2011

Boulez Pli selon Pli VIDEO Cité de la Musique

Pierre Boulez conducted Pli selon Pli tonight at the Royal Festival Hall London with Barbara Hannigan and Ensemble Intercontemporain and the Lucerne Festival Academy Ensemble. HERE is my review. Hard-boiled British audiences rarely give standing ovations but most of this audiences were on their feet applauding. You'd expect that from popular repertoire but esoteric new music?  And a crowd this size isn't the usual new music coterie. This remarkable concert was the culmination of a three day intensive marathon on Boulez's music organized by the South Bank, titled "Exquisite Labyrinth". Excellent title, for Boulez's music is exquisite, and labyrinthine. "It's about the excitement of creative adventures". said Pierre-Laurent Aimard, who should know.  Thanks to Dodorock, a regular reader and friend (see his site De chez toi, which is good on European events) here is a link to the Cité de la Musique broadcast  of Boulez Pli selon Pli from Paris (Salle Pleyel) recorded 27/9. Boulez and Ensemble Intercontemporain have been touring and the London concert was the last in the series. As I was going past the artists door after the concert, I understood why some of the audience were in black tie. Dinner party for Boulez after the show. When you're 86, that takes stamina. Longer review of the Boulez weekend and concert to follow. But enjoy this film and imagine being there.

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