For the first time, the Pierre Boulez Saal is partnering with the Philharmonie de Paris and the Musikfest Berlin to present the inaugural Boulez Biennial. Between September 1 and 10, ten concerts will highlight different aspects of Boulez’s work, from solo and ensemble works to orchestral compositions.

The two programs heard at the Pierre Boulez Saal put particular focus on Boulez’s relationship with the Second Viennese School: In the season-opening concert on September 9, the Boulez Ensemble, led by Daniel Barenboim, will perform compositions by Boulez and Anton Webern. The following night, Matthias Pintscher and the Ensemble intercontemporain take on Boulez’s landmark score Le Marteau sans maître as well as Alban Berg’s Four Pieces for Clarinet and Piano. The concerts are both a tribute to one of the most influential musical figures of the last decades and a mission statement of the concert hall that bears his name.

For details on the other performances, visit philharmoniedeparis.fr and berlinerfestspiele.de.