Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen are two titans of the post-war avant-garde. The London Sinfonietta are the capital’s most committed devotees of contemporary music. As part of the Southbank Centre’s 2015/16 line-up, these three forces will be brought together for a concert that looks to be one of the highlights of the winter season.
The first half of the programme is centred on Boulez. Derive 1 (1984) for six instruments is a burst of tension and beauty, whirring fourth from a single six-note chord. It has been called a miniature summation of his entire project. Anthemes II (1997) is a longer piece, which melds two violins with live electronics. Based on the composer’s childhood memories of church services, it is a characteristically refined soundscape.
While Boulez can be characterised as a slick urbanite, Stockhausen had more than a dash of the cosmic dreamer. Hymnen (1966-67) is a gargantuan composition that takes as its point of departure the national anthems of various countries. The Sinfonietta will perform ‘Region III’ as a stand-alone piece. Dedicated to John Cage, it includes Russian, American and Spanish anthems, and serves as a paean towards global unity in aftermath of global war. This is difficult music, but eager listeners will find it offers ample rewards.
The first half of the programme is centred on Boulez. Derive 1 (1984) for six instruments is a burst of tension and beauty, whirring fourth from a single six-note chord. It has been called a miniature summation of his entire project. Anthemes II (1997) is a longer piece, which melds two violins with live electronics. Based on the composer’s childhood memories of church services, it is a characteristically refined soundscape.
While Boulez can be characterised as a slick urbanite, Stockhausen had more than a dash of the cosmic dreamer. Hymnen (1966-67) is a gargantuan composition that takes as its point of departure the national anthems of various countries. The Sinfonietta will perform ‘Region III’ as a stand-alone piece. Dedicated to John Cage, it includes Russian, American and Spanish anthems, and serves as a paean towards global unity in aftermath of global war. This is difficult music, but eager listeners will find it offers ample rewards.
| What | Stockhausen and Boulez, Royal Festival Hall |
| Where | Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Waterloo (underground) |
| When |
On 05 Dec 15, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM |
| Price | £15-25 |
| Website | Click here to book via the Southbank Centre |
