Polyphonie X
Encyclopedia
Polyphonie X is a composition by Pierre Boulez
for eighteen instruments divided into seven groups, written in 1950–51. It is in three movements.
It is one of the first works of Boulez's total serial
period. It was composed shortly after "Structure 1a", the opening of the piano duo Structures I
, the movement the composer would later describe as an experiment with "an expressive nadir" . The première of Polyphonie X during the 1951 Donaueschingen Festival
caused a scandal, with one half of the audience shouting and imitating animal noises, while the other half responded with applause and bravos .
The title is often misinterpreted as having algebraic significance; in fact, the X is intended as a purely graphical symbol, implying the crossing of musical parameters which takes place in the score .
Polyphonie X has only been performed twice, and only once in its entirety; after hearing a recording of the première Boulez immediately withdrew the work because he felt it suffered from "theoretical exaggeration" , intending eventually to subject it to a thoroughgoing revision . As of 2011 this has not happened, and the piece remains unpublished. Two recordings exist; one of the première by the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Hans Rosbaud
, another by the symphony orchestra of the RAI
conducted by Bruno Maderna
(first movement only).
Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez is a French composer of contemporary classical music, a pianist, and a conductor.-Early years:Boulez was born in Montbrison, Loire, France. As a child he began piano lessons and demonstrated aptitude in both music and mathematics...
for eighteen instruments divided into seven groups, written in 1950–51. It is in three movements.
It is one of the first works of Boulez's total serial
Serialism
In music, serialism is a method or technique of composition that uses a series of values to manipulate different musical elements. Serialism began primarily with Arnold Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique, though his contemporaries were also working to establish serialism as one example of...
period. It was composed shortly after "Structure 1a", the opening of the piano duo Structures I
Structures (Boulez)
Structures I and Structures II are two related works for two pianos, composed by the French composer Pierre Boulez....
, the movement the composer would later describe as an experiment with "an expressive nadir" . The première of Polyphonie X during the 1951 Donaueschingen Festival
Donaueschingen Festival
The Donaueschingen Festival is a festival for new music that takes place every October in the small town of Donaueschingen...
caused a scandal, with one half of the audience shouting and imitating animal noises, while the other half responded with applause and bravos .
The title is often misinterpreted as having algebraic significance; in fact, the X is intended as a purely graphical symbol, implying the crossing of musical parameters which takes place in the score .
Polyphonie X has only been performed twice, and only once in its entirety; after hearing a recording of the première Boulez immediately withdrew the work because he felt it suffered from "theoretical exaggeration" , intending eventually to subject it to a thoroughgoing revision . As of 2011 this has not happened, and the piece remains unpublished. Two recordings exist; one of the première by the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra
Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra
The Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra is a radio orchestra located in the German cities of Baden-Baden and Freiburg...
conducted by Hans Rosbaud
Hans Rosbaud
Hans Rosbaud , was an Austrian conductor, particularly associated with the music of the twentieth century....
, another by the symphony orchestra of the RAI
RAI
RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...
conducted by Bruno Maderna
Bruno Maderna
Bruno Maderna was an Italian conductor and composer. For the last ten years of his life he lived in Germany and eventually became a citizen of that country.-Biography:...
(first movement only).