Pierre Boulez (1925-2016)

Le Visage nuptial (1985 -1989)

final version, for soprano, mezzo-soprano, choir and orchestra

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1985 - 1989
    • Duration: 30 mn
    • Publisher: Heugel, Paris, nº HE 33 687, 1994
    • Libretto (details, author):

      René Char, Fureur et mystère

Detailed formation
  • soloists: 1 solo soprano, 1 solo contralto
  • women's choir
  • 4 flutes, 3 oboes, 1 English horn, 3 clarinets, 1 bass clarinet, 4 bassoons (also 1 contrabassoon), 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones (also 1 bass trombone), 1 tuba, 1 timpani, 9 percussionists, 2 harp, 1 celesta, 16 violins, 14 second violins, 12 violas, 10 cellos, 8 double basses

Premiere information

  • Date: 16 November 1989
    Location:

    France, Metz


    Performers:

    Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Elizabeth Laurence, BBC singers et orchestre symphonique de Londres, direction : Pierre Boulez.

Observations

Enregistrement : Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Elizabeth Laurence, BBC singers et orchestre symphonique de Londres, direction : Pierre Boulez, 1 cd Erato, n° 2292-45494-Z.

Table of contents

  • Conduite
  • Gravité (L'Emmuré)
  • Le Visage nuptial
  • Évadné
  • Post-Scriptum

Program note

Voir les autres versions du Visage nuptial, note par Dominique Jameux, programme du Festival d'Automne à Paris, 1981, cycle Pierre Boulez.