Review: DG's Ultimate Boulez Box--Bring Snacks

Boulez recorded music in clumps--lot's of Bartok, Debussy, Mahler, Berg, Ravel, Stravinsky, Schoenberg and Webern--and all of these clumps were issued previously, some of them multiple times. So who needs this? Well, if you care about Boulez (and you should, frankly), and haven't heard any of this stuff before, then go for this 80+ CD set. What more can I say? Have a look at the video and see for yourself.

[benjaminharris]

"Chomp on one of these and you won't care what order the inner movements of Mahler's 6th go in."
- Dave Hurwitz on Mint Oreos

😂😂That has to be one of the best things I've ever heard on You Tube. Absolutely classic!😂😂

[michaelmurray]

Thanks for the entertainment David. Always fun.

[hendriphile]

Here’s a Boulez story from my NYPO subscription days.
At a performance of Mahler’s Seventh, at the pause between the fourth movement and the finale, a heavyweight dowager got up from her seat near the front of the orchestra, got to the aisle and slowly, with deliberation, began walking up toward the rear exit. Boulez, noticing this, turned and faced the lady and, standing at attention, continued (along with the audience) to gaze at her as she made her way towards the back. When she had achieved her goal and the door closed behind her, Boulez with his right hand gave her a little “tip of the hat, “ and turned around to face the orchestra and begin the finale. The quiet chuckling in the audience was wonderful.

[waverly]

During the 70's I played violin in a college orchestra. The visiting conductor for the day was Boulez. The first piece we played with him was some 12-tone piece with no melody. Possibly it was a piece by Schoenberg. Boulez spent the entire rehearsal trying to get the woodwinds perfectly in tune with each other. He was supposed to have had an incredible ear and I guess that even dissonances have to be in tune but the wind players were demoralized that the end of that rehearsal.

[bil]

This video is hilarious! I LOVE your reviews!

[davidgoulden]

Dave you surpassed yourself with this one. Never seen my missus laugh the way she laughed at your song of praise to pringles, m & m, and oreos. Not at Norm McDonald talking about alcoholism, not even at Laurel & Hardy. You're a very funny fellow. Best, D.

[thomascampbell]

16:34 Wait, you meet Messiaen? Also great video. I am now considering purchasing this box for myself and my ever growing collection and to add to my Boulez recordings (At this time only consisting of The love feast of the Apostles by Wagner with the NY Phil).

[detectivehome]

You already had me at "Boulez the Electrician"

[ManueldelRio]

There is CD 84 that is not mentioned in the box set outside, but it's inside. Ravel's Piano Concertos with Pierre-Laurent Aimard and The Cleveland Orchestra.

[samlaser]

So David, should I rush out and buy the Boulez monolith or invest in a tube of Pringles? I can't afford both.

[ajmarr]

Hilarious comments! You are the gnome of classical music! Luv ya!

[folanpaul]

"...and how he used to date all of them, at one point or another" 🤣

[steveevans]

You've outdone yourself again here. Boulez in one giant clump. Bruckner 8 from an empty chair. Emotionless Mahler that actually works. Webern for those with eating disorders. Wagner without juice. Schoenberg's Pelleas & Melisande with a Jiffy-Lube oil change. And you don't care. Really, you don't. You haven't drunk the Kool-Aid. And why should we? I've got some of these discs (the good ones that you mention) & that's all you need. A pity he didn't do Tchaikovsky's Pathetique. I wonder what would you'd snack on with that?!

[jasonjackson]

This is pure outstanding trolling. "the almond M&Ms go better with late Stravinsky". 😂😂.

[JK-rtjj]

In my view Boulez was the cornerstone in the DG catalogue in the late nineties and early 2000’s. Most of these records were first class, and the matter of fact kind of interpretations on them are not a problem mostly, but good to have. If you like the repertoire Boulez played, this box set is a wonderful chance to get a top quality basic collection. I own this box and I think it’s my best mega box buy. The modern recordings help a lot. But there are some misses as well, for sure.

[MrPoopballs]

Two comments in my first voyage into these comments. Leaving aside the hype, I think a lot of what folks think about Boulez will depend on what they think of 20th century music more generally, If you like it, he's important, if not, much less so.
That said, I'll always have a soft spot for him because when I was in my late teens he was the MD of the NYP and in the summers he had the seats pulled out of Avery Fisher Hall and you came and sat on the rug for the concert, creating an air of informality which was very attractive for young people who were not musicians but wanted to explore classical music. I was even able to persuade friends of mine who were not at all into classical music to go to the concerts once I explained the concert. We could use more of that kind of thing today.

[ilunga]

Love Mahler. Love M&M's (plain). I'll have to try mint Oreos.

[chihamats]

As soon as I knew this was coming out, I was looking forward to your review on it! Thank you as always.
I hope you will also review Steinberg's Brahms cycle with the Pittsburgh Symphony on DG (Originally from Command Classics) as soon as it's released!

[barryguerrero]

Am I wrong in thinking that Birtwistle is the British Charles Wourinen, or Milton Babbitt? (remember that lovely disc Levine did of Cage/Carter/Babbitt/Schuller? . . . . boy, that was a big hit at fraternity parties).

[luccharbonneau]

You are on fire 🔥
But
What a real critical opinion with imagination and creativity
This is the best