Immerse yourself in the profound and captivating world of classical music with Pierre Boulez's latest masterpiece, "Boulez A-Z: Messiaen - Ravel." This extraordinary collection, set for release on January 27, 2025, under the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label, spans an impressive 3 hours and 50 minutes, featuring 91 tracks that showcase the genius of two iconic composers, Olivier Messiaen and Maurice Ravel.
Pierre Boulez, renowned for his contributions to 20th-century music as a composer, conductor, and teacher, curates this album with his signature precision and artistic vision. The album is a testament to Boulez's deep understanding and admiration for Messiaen and Ravel, offering a meticulously crafted selection of their most evocative works.
The album opens with Messiaen's "Poèmes pour mi," a deeply personal and introspective suite that explores themes of gratitude, landscape, and spirituality. Following this, the "Sept Haïkaï" and "Chronochromie" offer a journey through Messiaen's unique harmonic language and rhythmic complexity, showcasing his innovative approach to composition.
Ravel's contributions to the album are equally compelling, with pieces like "La ville d'en haut" and the enchanting "Ma mère l'oye" ballet suite. The album also includes Ravel's iconic "Rapsodie espagnole," featuring the sultry "Habanera" and the fiery "Malagueña."
Boulez's own compositions are also featured, including the powerful "Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum" and the serene "Une barque sur l'océan." The album concludes with a stunning performance of Mozart's "Serenade in B-Flat Major, K. 361 'Gran partita'," demonstrating Boulez's versatility and mastery of the classical repertoire.
"Boulez A-Z: Messiaen - Ravel" is not just an album; it's an exploration of the depths of human expression through music. Whether you're a seasoned classical aficionado or a curious newcomer, this collection offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. Prepare to be transported to the heart of these compositions, where every note tells a story and every melody paints a picture.
Poèmes pour mi: I. Action de grâcesOlivier Messiaen, Françoise Pollet, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Poèmes pour mi: II. PaysageOlivier Messiaen, Françoise Pollet, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Poèmes pour mi: III. La maisonOlivier Messiaen, Françoise Pollet, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Poèmes pour mi: IV. ÉpouvanteOlivier Messiaen, Françoise Pollet, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Poèmes pour mi: V. L'épouseOlivier Messiaen, Françoise Pollet, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Poèmes pour mi: VI. Ta voixOlivier Messiaen, Françoise Pollet, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Poèmes pour mi: VII. Les deux guerriersOlivier Messiaen, Françoise Pollet, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Poèmes pour mi: VIII. Le collierOlivier Messiaen, Françoise Pollet, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Poèmes pour mi: IX. Prière exaucéeOlivier Messiaen, Françoise Pollet, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Réveil des oiseauxOlivier Messiaen, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Sept Haïkaï: I. IntroductionOlivier Messiaen, Joela Jones, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Sept Haïkaï: II. Le parc de Nara et les lanternes de pierreOlivier Messiaen, Joela Jones, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Sept Haïkaï: III. Yamanaka cadenzaOlivier Messiaen, Joela Jones, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Sept Haïkaï: IV. GagakuOlivier Messiaen, Joela Jones, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Sept Haïkaï: V. Miyajima et le torii dans la merOlivier Messiaen, Joela Jones, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Sept Haïkaï: VI. Les oiseaux de KaruizawaOlivier Messiaen, Joela Jones, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Sept Haïkaï: VII. CodaOlivier Messiaen, Joela Jones, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Chronochromie: I. IntroductionOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Chronochromie: II. Strophe IOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Chronochromie: III. Antistrophe IOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Chronochromie: IV. Strophe IIOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Chronochromie: V. Antistrophe IIOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Chronochromie: VI. EpodeOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Chronochromie: VII. CodaOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
La ville d'en haut for Piano and Chamber OrchestraOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum: I. Des profondeurs de l'abîme, je crie vers toi, Seigneur: Écoute ma voix!Olivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum: II. Le Christ, ressuscité des morts, ne meurt plus; la mort n'a plus sur lui d'empireOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum: III. L'heure vient où les morts entendront la voix du Fils de DieuOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum: IV. Ils ressusciteront, glorieux, avec un nom nouveau – dans le concert joyeux des étoiles et les acclamations des fils du cielOlivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum: V. Et j'entendis la voix d'une foule immense...Olivier Messiaen, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Serenade in B-Flat Major, K. 361 "Gran partita": I. Largo – Allegro moltoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Serenade in B-Flat Major, K. 361 "Gran partita": II. Menuetto – Trio I – Trio IIWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Serenade in B-Flat Major, K. 361 "Gran partita": III. AdagioWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Serenade in B-Flat Major, K. 361 "Gran partita": IV. Menuetto. Allegretto – Trio I – Trio IIWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Serenade in B-Flat Major, K. 361 "Gran partita": V. Romance. Adagio – AllegrettoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Serenade in B-Flat Major, K. 361 "Gran partita": VI. Tema con variazioni. AndanteWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Serenade in B-Flat Major, K. 361 "Gran partita": VII. Finale. Molto allegroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Ma mère l'oye, Ballet, M. 62: I. PréludeMaurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Ma mère l'oye, Ballet, M. 62: II. Danse du rouet et scèneMaurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Ma mère l'oye, Ballet, M. 62: III. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant – IV. Interlude 1Maurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Ma mère l'oye, Ballet, M. 62: V. Les entretiens de la Belle et de la Bête – VI. Interlude 2Maurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Ma mère l'oye, Ballet, M. 62: VII. Petit PoucetMaurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Ma mère l'oye, Ballet, M. 62: VIII. Interlude 3Maurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Ma mère l'oye, Ballet, M. 62: IX. Laideronnette, impératrice des Pagodes – X. Interlude 4Maurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Ma mère l'oye, Ballet, M. 62: XI. Apothéose. Le jardin féeriqueMaurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Ma mère l'oye, Ballet, M. 62: III. Une barque sur l'océan, M. 43bMaurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Miroirs, M. 43: IV. Alborada del gracioso, M. 43cMaurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Miroirs, M. 43: I. Prélude à la nuitMaurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Rapsodie espagnole, M. 54: II. MalagueñaMaurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Rapsodie espagnole, M. 54: III. HabaneraMaurice Ravel, Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez, a titan of 20th-century music, left an indelible mark on the classical world as a composer, conductor, and pedagogue. Born in Montbrison, France, in 1925, Boulez's influence extended far beyond his compositions, shaping the way we think about and experience music itself. As a conductor, he championed the works of his contemporaries and inspired generations of musicians. His avant-garde compositions, though rarely performed, are a testament to his innovative spirit and enduring legacy. Boulez's impact is not just in his music but also in the institutions he founded and the minds he inspired, making him one of the most dominant figures in post-war contemporary classical music.
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Pierre Boulez
