Pierre Boulez: Mémoriale & Dérive 1 & 2
This new release is dedicated to works by one of the legendary figures in the world of contemporary music, the composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. The disc includes three pieces for small orchestral groups, “Memoriale”, “Derive 1”, and the latest version of “Derive 2” which is receiving its world premiere recording on this CD.
Boulez:
- Mémoriale
for Solo Flute And 8 Instruments (2 Horns, 3 Violins, 2 Violas, Cello)
Fabrice Jünger (solo flute)
- Dérive I
for 6 Instruments (flute, Clarinet, Vibraphone, Piano, Violin, Cello)
- Dérive II
for 11 Instruments (oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Vibraphone, Marimba, Piano, Harp, Violin
Performed by Fabrice Jünger (solo flute), with the Ensemble Orchestral Contemporain, conducted by Daniel Kawka
The audio CD was issued on February 28, 2012
These compositions call for smaller chamber groups, and they are based on compositional techniques derived from canons.
The performing group is the “Ensemble Orchestral Contemporain”. It is an instrumental ensemble with a core of nineteen musicians which can expand to orchestral dimensions if necessary. It was founded in 1992 by its current music director Daniel Kawka.
Here are some reviews:
1. Sunday Times, 4th March 2012:
“[Dérive 1] is a scintillating, frequently trilling, six minutes. Dérive 2, for 11 instruments — an 80th-birthday tribute to Elliott Carter — is a bewildering 51-minute expansion of the concept, a work whose sheer relentless continuity makes its well-nigh unique in modern music.”
2. The Independent, 24th February 2012:
“”Dérive 1″ uses a Feldman-esque palette of woodwind, vibes, piano and strings, and although named for the structural principles of derivation upon which it’s based, its drifting manner also suggests the French notion of a dérive as pleasantly aimless wandering….[Dérive 2] is more purposive, its edgy opening pitching nervous strings against animated vibes and marimba”
Here is a video of the Boulez “Dérive I “ performed by Ensemble Intercontemporain
And next, here is the Boulez, “Dérive 2”
Finally, here is the Pierre Boulez – Memorial
Tags: Pierre Boulez, Mémoriale, Dérive 1, Dérive 2