I discovered 'Rite of Spring' when I was 21. As a matter of fact, not with orchestra first, because it was still a work which was not often performed. Don't forget that I was 19 in 1944, still the Occupation time. So it was performed slightly after the end of the war, in 1945. Pierre Boulez discoverendfact share on social
The first time I came to New York in 1952, I was busy with music. I made the acquaintance at this period with John Cage, and also the acquaintance of Varese for the first time. We were very good friends. He gave me some scores, and we recorded them a little later. Pierre Boulez acquaintancebusycage share on social
My parents were so far from the music world that they couldn't conceive how you could make a living. But for me, it was the only solution for the rest of my life. Pierre Boulez conceivelifelive Change image and share on social
Certainly I was a bully. I'm not ashamed of it at all. The hostility of the establishment to what you were able to do in the Forties and Fifties was very strong. Sometimes you have to fight against your society. Pierre Boulez ashamedbullyestablishment share on social
I almost chose the career of an ethnomusicologist because I was so fascinated by that music. It gives a different feeling of time. Pierre Boulez careerchooseethnomusicologist Change image and share on social
I said if I ever conducted, I would always give myself the best chance to succeed - though sometimes, despite everything, you still fail. Pierre Boulez chanceconductfail Change image and share on social
I always think the relationship between a teacher and a student should be short and maybe violent. You don't need to spend years together. All you need is an explosion: you are the material to explode; the teacher is the detonator. Pierre Boulez detonatorexplodeexplosion share on social
Acting and performing music is exactly the same. Therefore, an actor, for instance, who is very impressive, he's not simply imitating or trying to imitate, but he must dominate this kind of feeling, and then he transmits it in a much stronger way. Pierre Boulez actactordominate share on social
I am not nostalgic about things. When you have a kind of improvement, I am not nostalgic about the past. Pierre Boulez improvementkindnostalgic Change image and share on social
In business, in the music world, people know that I can be very friendly and warm but that, after a certain moment, the business is closed. I like to be alone: in order to concentrate on my work, the social life does not exist. It has never existed for me, really. I have chosen instead the working life because I prefer that. Pierre Boulez businesschooseclose share on social