Hear and Now 1: Pintscher conducts Boulez

City Halls
Glasgow
Scotland

Marisol Montalvo soprano
Matthias Pintscher conductor
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Boulez's song cycle for soprano and orchestra, Pli selon pli (Fold by Fold), is a major work of 20th century composition. Subtitled "a portrait of Mallarmé" its musical language inhabits the same world as the Symbolist poet's texts, using fragments of poetry and a vast range of instruments to cast its mysterious spell. It's a meeting of two great French artistic revolutionaries; over fifty years after its inception, its mix of music and text remains a provocative and intensely immersive experience.

The BBC SSO is conducted by its Artist-in-Association, Matthias Pintscher, whose works have been championed by Boulez himself; and the electrifying American soprano Marisol Montalvo is the soloist in an evening celebrating the music of one of the world's great avant-garde figures.

Please note that there will be no interval in this concert (the performance will last for approximately 70 minutes). The evening will be presented by regular BBC Radio 3 Hear and Now presenter, Ivan Hewett. This performance of Pli selon pli is scheduled to be broadcast in Hear and Now on Saturday 2 November, please check the BBC Radio 3 website or Radio Times to confirm precise details.

Pierre Boulez : Pli selon pli (Portrait de Mallarmé): for soprano and orchestra