100 Years of Pierre Boulez

Lucerne Festival 2025 is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Pierre Boulez’s birth and presents key works by the composer. The focus is on the exploration of unfinished works by Boulez, supported by prominent artists and the Lucerne Festival Academy, creating essential points of contact for young musicians with his work.

Pierre Boulez was closely associated with the festival, particularly as director of the Lucerne Festival Academy from 2004–2015. At the centre of the concert focus are works such as Quatour pour livre for string quartet, Répons for ensemble and live electronics, Figures-Doubles-Prismes for orchestra and Notations in the juxtaposition of the versions for piano and orchestra. With the permission of Pierre Boulez’s heirs, Poésie pour pouvoir will be performed in a workshop concert for the first time since 1958.

In keeping with the Pierre Boulez focus, composer and electronics pioneer Marco Stroppa, who was brought to IRCAM by Pierre Boulez, where he still teaches and works today, will be Composer in Residence at the Lucerne Festival in summer 2025. He and conductor David Robertson are very familiar with Pierre Boulez’s music and will contribute their experience of working with Pierre Boulez to the concert project.

The concert project 100 Years of Pierre Boulez is supported by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Further information:
lucernefestival.ch

Dates

August 15, 17, 23, 27, 30 & 31, 2025
September 6, 7 & 14, 2025
KKL Lucerne