Michael Barenboim: Boulez & Electronics
The ever-creative violinist pays a centenary tribute to the genius of Pierre Boulez and his legacy in a programme highlighting the magic of live electronics.
Michael Barenboim, a player of ‘crackling intensity’ (The Guardian), has become almost synonymous with Pierre Boulez’ groundbreaking works for solo violin and live electronics. Gilbert Nouno joins him today to realise these effects live in concert.
Their programme is bookended by Boulez’ Anthèmes 1 and 2, in which the violin is gradually surrounded by a spatial-effect halo of sound.
In between, there is a chance to explore music influenced by Boulez, firstly by his pupil Benjamin Attahir and the prominent French composer Philippe Manoury.
‘Manoury and Attahir both worked with Boulez, but of course offer their own takes on the treatment of violin with live electronics,’ Barenboim says.
Completing the programme are works from the Levant, by the Lebanese violinist and composer Leyale Chaker and Kareem Roustom from Syria, whose Pavane (pour les enfantes défuntes) receives its UK premiere today.
Barenboim says, ‘Doing justice to Pierre Boulez’ work on the occasion of his 100-year anniversary means going beyond his own work,’ adding that to present it as a static legacy would go against the visionary spirit of the composer.
Michael Barenboim is soloist and chamber musician on violin and viola, ensemble founder, concertmaster of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, and professor at the Barenboim-Said Akademie.
Performers
Michael Barenboim violin, viola
Gilbert Nouno live electronics
Repertoire
Boulez: Anthèmes 1 for violin
Benjamin Attahir: Retour à Tipasa for violin & electronics
Philippe Manoury: Partita II for violin & electronics
Interval
Layale Chaker: Before bloom for solo viola
Kareem Roustom: Pavane (pour les enfantes défuntes) for viola & live electronics (UK premiere)
Boulez: Anthèmes 2 for violin & live electronics
Need to know
Find out more about the music with our free programme.
View the programme
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This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre
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