Structures (Boulez)

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Structures I (1952) and Structures II (1961) are two related works for two pianos, composed by the French composer Pierre Boulez.

The first book of structures was begun in early 1951, and finished in 1952. In between, Boulez took some time to write the orchestral piece Polyphonie X. The second was begun in 1956, but not completed until 1962.

Structures I was one of Boulez's earliest works to use the technique of integral serialism, wherein many parameters of a piece's construction are governed by serialist principles, rather than only pitch. Boulez devised groups of twelve dynamic levels and twelve rhythmic divisions, for instance, each to be used in a manner analogous to a twelve-tone row.

Structures II is, on the other hand, a reconstruction of Structures I: its material is reused and rewritten, transformed into a new work with a more fluid means of expression. This kind of reworking of an earlier piece is quite common among Boulez's compositions, for instance recently the violin piece Anthèmes (1991) was transformed into Anthèmes II (1997) for violin and electronics, or the solo piano Incises (1994) into Sur Incises (1998).

[edit] References

Boulez, Pierre. Orientations. Faber and Faber. London, 1986. ISBN 0-571-14347-4
Jameux, Dominique. Boulez: Le Marteau Sans Maître, included booklet. MK 42619, CBS Masterworks, 1989.