Pierre Boulez's "Pli selon Pli" is a masterful exploration of modernist composition, showcasing the avant-garde genius of one of classical music's most innovative minds. This album, released on January 1, 2002, under the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label, presents a highly polished account of Boulez's key work, featuring his latest revisions. The ensemble, led by Boulez himself, includes the renowned Ensemble InterContemporain and soprano Christine Schäfer, delivering a performance that is both technically impeccable and deeply expressive.
The album is a collection of five songs, each inspired by the poetry of Stéphane Mallarmé, and spans a total duration of one hour and nine minutes. The pieces are:
- "Don. Je t'apporte l'enfant d'une nuit d'Idumée"
- "Improvisation I sur Mallarmé. Le vierge, le vivace et le bel aujourd'hui"
- "Improvisation II sur Mallarmé. Une dentelle s'abolit"
- "Improvisation III sur Mallarmé. A la nue accablante tu"
- "Tombeau. Une peu profond ruisseau calomnié la mort"
Boulez's composition is a testament to his unique ability to blend complex orchestration with profound emotional depth. The avant-garde elements are seamlessly woven into the classical framework, creating a sound that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. This album is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolution of classical music and the avant-garde genre.
Vinylscout