Composer

:

Pierre Boulez

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1977

Average_duration

:

8:08

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Messagesquisse is a composition for solo cello and six cellos, composed by Pierre Boulez in 1976. The piece was premiered on October 5, 1977, in Paris, by cellist Siegfried Palm and the Ensemble InterContemporain. The composition consists of twelve movements, each based on a fragment of a work by the composer Paul Sacher. The fragments are taken from Sacher's collection of musical dedications, which were written by various composers in honor of Sacher's 70th birthday. Boulez selected twelve of these dedications and used them as the basis for his composition. The first movement, titled "Sacher's Message," introduces the main theme of the piece, which is a twelve-tone row derived from the letters of Sacher's name. The subsequent movements each take a fragment of a dedication and use it as the basis for a variation on the main theme. The movements are titled "Anthèmes 1," "Anthèmes 2," "Mémoriale," "Dialogue de l'ombre double," "Messagesquisse," "Commentaire I," "Commentaire II," "Commentaire III," "Commentaire IV," "Commentaire V," and "Commentaire VI." The characteristics of Messagesquisse are typical of Boulez's style, which is characterized by complex rhythms, intricate harmonies, and a focus on the structural elements of music. The piece is highly virtuosic, requiring the solo cellist to navigate a wide range of techniques and extended playing techniques. The six accompanying cellos provide a rich harmonic and textural backdrop, creating a complex and layered sound. Overall, Messagesquisse is a challenging and innovative work that showcases Boulez's mastery of composition and his unique approach to musical structure.

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