Pierre Boulez on the title Douze Notations
Douze Notations pour piano have a special place in the musical output of Pierre Boulez (1925-2016). For one thing, ever since their belated publication in 1985 these short piano pieces have headed the work list of this extremely self-critical composer. For another, Boulez frequently drew on these fledgling compositions in his later music. Finally, this collection of 1945 offers fascinating insights into the compositional workshop of the then 20-year-old composer.
Notations – A creative project for students
Boulez's Douze Notations demonstrates how one can achieve artistic freedom through limitation of material. Young musicians and dancers set themselves similar constraints to explore their own creative potential.