Composer

:

Pierre Boulez

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1953 - 1955

Average_duration

:

31:05

Movement_count

:

9

Movement ....

Le marteau sans maître is a composition by Pierre Boulez, a French composer, conductor, and pianist. It was composed between 1953 and 1955 and premiered in Baden-Baden, Germany, on June 18, 1955. The piece is divided into nine movements and is scored for alto voice, flute, guitar, vibraphone, xylorimba, and percussion. The title of the piece translates to "The Hammer without a Master," which is taken from a poem by René Char. The poem is a surrealist work that Boulez found inspiring, and he used it as a basis for the composition. The piece is known for its complex rhythms, intricate textures, and use of serialism. The first movement, "Avant l'artisanat pur," sets the tone for the piece with its dissonant harmonies and irregular rhythms. The second movement, "Commentaire I de 'Bourreaux de solitude'," features the alto voice singing a text by Char. The third movement, "Commentaire II de 'Bourreaux de solitude'," is an instrumental interlude that features the vibraphone and xylorimba. The fourth movement, "L'artisanat furieux," is one of the most complex movements in the piece, featuring intricate rhythms and a dense texture. The fifth movement, "Bel édifice et les pressentiments," is a slow and contemplative movement that features the guitar and vibraphone. The sixth movement, "L'artisanat du son," is an instrumental interlude that features the flute and percussion. The seventh movement, "Aubade," is a duet between the alto voice and the guitar. The eighth movement, "Commentaire III de 'Bourreaux de solitude'," features the alto voice singing a text by Char. The final movement, "Litanie du Christ aux outrages," is a powerful and intense movement that features the alto voice and percussion. Overall, Le marteau sans maître is a challenging and complex work that showcases Boulez's mastery of serialism and his innovative approach to composition. It is considered one of the most important works of the 20th century and has had a significant influence on contemporary music.

More....