Boulez’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of the traditional concert experience and his fierce advocacy for the avant-garde marked him as a pivotal figure in the 20th-century music scene. He was never content with the status quo, always seeking to explore new territory, and in doing so, he left an indelible mark on music history.

This series includes a whole evening of concerts dedicated to Boulez’s music. His compositions are notoriously difficult—demanding on both the performer and the listener—but they are also incredibly rewarding. There’s a kind of beauty in the challenge they present, a sense of accomplishment that comes from grappling with the complex structures and ideas that underpin his music. For the ANAM musicians, approaching the huge mountains of works such as the Notations, Sonatine for flute and piano and Piano Sonata No. 2 is not only a technical feat but a rite of passage into the world of contemporary classical music.