Composer

:

Pierre Boulez

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1985

Average_duration

:

5:08

Mémoriale is a composition for solo flute and eight instruments, composed by Pierre Boulez in 1985. The piece was commissioned by the Paul Sacher Foundation in Basel, Switzerland, and is dedicated to the memory of Igor Stravinsky, who was a close friend and mentor to Boulez. The premiere of Mémoriale took place on September 28, 1985, at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, with flutist Aurèle Nicolet as the soloist and the Ensemble InterContemporain conducted by Boulez himself. The piece is divided into five movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, titled "Très librement," is a free-form introduction that sets the stage for the rest of the piece. The second movement, "Vif," is a lively and energetic scherzo that showcases the virtuosity of the solo flute. The third movement, "Lent," is a slow and contemplative interlude that features a haunting melody played by the solo flute. The fourth movement, "Rapide," is a fast and frenetic scherzo that builds to a frenzied climax. The final movement, "Très lent," is a quiet and introspective epilogue that brings the piece to a peaceful close. Mémoriale is characterized by Boulez's signature use of complex rhythms, intricate textures, and unconventional instrumental techniques. The piece also features a number of extended techniques for the flute, including flutter-tonguing, multiphonics, and glissandi, which add to the piece's unique sound world. Overall, Mémoriale is a powerful and moving tribute to one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, and a testament to Boulez's own mastery of the art of composition.

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