Identify this series of Boulez lectures

July 9, 2008 4:52 PM

I'm trying to identify this series (and, possibly, find a copy): At some point in the late 80's/early 90's, someone videotaped a series of Boulez lectures on twentieth-century music for me. He was talking through one piece in each programme, and had an ensemble on hand to play the musical examples, and the whole piece at the end.

I don't remember all the pieces - the one that grabbed me was Messiaen's Oiseaux Exotiques - I'd heard it and struggled, but remember Boulez making it crystal clear, and opening up a whole new load of music to me.

posted by monkey closet to Media & Arts (2 answers total)

yes, please.
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:38 PM on July 9, 2008

Best answer: It's called Opus 20 Modern Masterworks.

Here in IMDB:

The Cage program is on YouTube but the others don't appear to be available.
posted by aninom at 11:47 AM on July 10, 2008