Piece Of The Week (beg:24/03/08)

Anton Webern: Symphony Op21.

I wont go on about this as the piece has been analysed and discussed a great deal by people far more qualified than me.

I will say that it is one of my favourite pieces of music. Before I got the score and started looking at the piece properly I didn`t realise that the first movement contained repeats, I thought I was hearing the row come round again (which is true, but I didn`t think it was a literal repeat, interesting effect, at least for me).

The way the pitches revolve and pass between instruments is engaging, and peaceful (in the first movement at least), it has something of the kaleidoscope about it. While it may lend itself to formal analysis it is also, more importantly, a beautiful piece of music.

The version I have is performed by the LSO, conducted by Boulez, from this boxed set.

Piece of the Week (beg: 17/03/08)

This week`s piece is Pierre Boulez`s fantastic Domaines, performed by the Musique Vivante Ensemble and conducted by Diego Masson.



Why?, because of the splendid clarinet writing, those incredible brass figures near the beginning and the overall form of the piece with its domains or regions of instrumentation (and their relation the clarinet part). Also it`s a bargain on CD at only £.4.99 (ish).

The clarinet soloist is Michel Portal, you can read an interview with him if you like.

Also you can see Portal playing some jazz here, and you can watch Boulez on the Charlie Rose show.

Plus, Boulez will be at the CBSO Centre in Birmingham on the 10th of May 2008...

On a rare visit to Birmingham, one of the great figures of post-war classical music Pierre Boulez conducts an informal open rehearsal of Igor Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks as part of Birmingham’s IgorFest. This session will include conversation and discussion between Boulez and acclaimed author and commentator on music Paul Griffiths. This is an extraordinary and unmissable opportunity to hear one great artist’s insights into the work of another seminal figure of the 20th century.

This event is part of 'Boulez in Birmingham', a celebration of Pierre Boulez, during which he will receive an Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University / Birmingham Conservatoire.

Sat 10th May 2008, 10:30am

Pierre Boulez durante una conferencia en el Palais des Beaux-Arts de Bruselas (Bélgica), el 25 de octubre de 2004.