He also says Shosty was an "excellent" composer - that's too high a level of praise IMHO! ;-)
Anyway, here's an interesting Boulez obituary from a woman who actually played in one of the orchestras (the BBC Symphony) which Boulez conducted. I'm surprised that she reports that, at one point, he asked for more "magic" from the percussion - a meaningless directive more worthy of the likes of Marin Alsop. But I think you'll agree that the BBC tympanist handled the situation appropriately - LOL! OTOH, I find very it believable that Boulez sometimes rehearsed each desk of string players individually.
In any case, a very interesting article:
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Topic - Boulez calls Shostakovich a "second-rate composer" - Chris from Lafayette 10:44:30 01/20/16 (73)
- But Boulez is right - gd 19:51:30 01/25/16 (4)
- RE: But Boulez is right - ivan_terrible 04:01:46 02/01/16 (3)
- But Boulez is still right - gd 06:30:34 02/01/16 (2)
- RE: But Boulez is still right - ivan_terrible 07:19:25 02/01/16 (1)
- Boulez is dead - gd 10:32:12 02/01/16 (0)
- The first mov't of Shostakovich's 4th should guarantee the guy respect, IMHO. nt - jdaniel@jps.net 08:33:01 01/22/16 (2)
- Amen, Brother... - Ivan303 12:21:38 01/23/16 (1)
- That skittering fugue in the middle is amazing. Jarvi's is my fav on Chandos. nt - jdaniel@jps.net 19:38:53 01/23/16 (0)
- Are there any 20th century composers who are not "second rate"... - genungo 08:20:46 01/22/16 (17)
- RE: Are there any 20th century composers who are not "second rate"... - learsfool 10:19:44 01/24/16 (5)
- RE: Are there any 20th century composers who are not "second rate"... - ivan_terrible 04:33:00 02/01/16 (0)
- RE: Are there any 20th century composers who are not "second rate"... - faskenite 13:55:57 01/24/16 (3)
- RE: Are there any 20th century composers who are not "second rate"... - learsfool 22:38:46 01/27/16 (2)
- RE: Are there any 20th century composers - Add Britten (n) - goldenthal 18:53:09 01/31/16 (1)
- RE: Are there any 20th century composers - Add Britten (n) - learsfool 17:41:38 02/02/16 (0)
- Shosty "top of the heap"? Come, come, surely you jest! - Chris from Lafayette 09:45:46 01/22/16 (10)
- I did say "born during the 20th century"... - genungo 11:20:28 01/22/16 (9)
- This is simple. Prokofiev bores me, Shostakovich doesn't. nt. - MWE 16:17:01 01/22/16 (2)
- I'm sure that with greater experience, careful listening, and. . . - Chris from Lafayette 21:14:05 01/23/16 (0)
- Interesting. I've never tired of Prokofiev, hope I never do. - jdaniel@jps.net 09:35:39 01/23/16 (0)
- Yes, you said, "born during the 20th century (or just before)" - Chris from Lafayette 15:28:36 01/22/16 (4)
- LOL. I knew my mentality was bent, but was unaware the bend is *literary*. nt - Rick W 09:26:56 01/23/16 (0)
- RE: Yes, you said, "born during the 20th century (or just before)" - Ivan303 19:40:48 01/22/16 (0)
- Great, but all of the composers you've just mentioned... - genungo 16:52:47 01/22/16 (1)
- I suppose one needs a certain critical mass among audiences, academicians and performers to be considered great - Chris from Lafayette 19:29:08 01/22/16 (0)
- I'd say Copland. In my mind he's fist rate.(nt) - kuma 11:37:52 01/22/16 (0)
- RE: Boulez calls Shostakovich a "second-rate composer" - afro18 06:12:35 01/22/16 (0)
- Shostakovich wrote his worst stuff to placate Stalin and the censors - Jay Buridan 17:55:09 01/21/16 (17)
- True. - rbolaw 19:54:47 01/21/16 (16)
- I understand what you're trying to say, but. . . - Chris from Lafayette 20:45:34 01/21/16 (15)
- RE: I understand what you're trying to say, but. . . - krisjan 13:02:17 01/23/16 (2)
- Thanks for the info - I of course have not heard everything by Shostakovich - Chris from Lafayette 21:48:33 01/23/16 (1)
- Correction: I have Elizabeth Wilson's biography about DSCH not Fey's - krisjan 05:32:55 01/24/16 (0)
- Oh, relax and have some vodka! ;-) nt - rbolaw 06:27:01 01/22/16 (6)
- RE: Oh, relax and have some vodka! ;-) nt - Chris from Lafayette 09:07:15 01/22/16 (5)
- Go against the grain... - genungo 10:27:34 01/23/16 (1)
- Interesting - I didn't realize Idaho had so many excellent vodkas [nt] - Chris from Lafayette 21:54:38 01/23/16 (0)
- I brought about 8 different brands home from Russia - rbolaw 09:55:49 01/22/16 (2)
- Did you ever try a brand called "Kremlin Award"? [nt] - Chris from Lafayette 10:16:07 01/22/16 (1)
- RE: Did you ever try a brand called "Kremlin Award"? [nt] - rbolaw 11:25:13 01/22/16 (0)
- His quartets were not atonal only because... - Jay Buridan 03:40:37 01/22/16 (2)
- Good one! (nt) - krisjan 12:52:34 01/23/16 (0)
- LOL! Now THAT is funny! [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 09:01:54 01/22/16 (0)
- RE: I understand what you're trying to say, but. . . - ahendler 22:24:35 01/21/16 (1)
- Yeah - Putin has changed all that - you still don't want to get on the wrong side of him though! - Chris from Lafayette 09:31:52 01/22/16 (0)
- If someone really loves a composer's music... - MWE 18:42:47 01/20/16 (2)
- You are absolutely right - Chris from Lafayette 19:01:35 01/20/16 (1)
- RE: Whacking hornets' nests - MWE 16:40:40 01/21/16 (0)
- RE: Boulez calls Shostakovich a "second-rate composer" - rbolaw 17:53:53 01/20/16 (4)
- Well, not all composers feel as Boulez did about musical "progress" - Chris from Lafayette 18:53:24 01/20/16 (3)
- RE: Well, not all composers feel as Boulez did about musical "progress" - rbolaw 05:40:06 01/21/16 (2)
- Hmm. . . I wonder if Milton Cross just rode the wave. . . - Chris from Lafayette 08:35:56 01/21/16 (1)
- Right guy, right place, right time ... that's show biz! ;-) nt - rbolaw 09:58:31 01/21/16 (0)
- Well .... - Amphissa 15:33:36 01/20/16 (3)
- RE: "Shostakovich's difficult life story has led to his music being overrated as a whole." - Ivan303 19:43:15 01/20/16 (0)
- Not to mention that Boulez was a VERY respected (possibly even great) conductor [nt] - Chris from Lafayette 18:41:39 01/20/16 (0)
- Don't hold back, how do you really feel about Boulez as a composer? nt - rbolaw 17:55:22 01/20/16 (0)
- "When he is bad, he is awful. - steve.ott@kctcs.edu 12:55:20 01/20/16 (6)
- Milton Cross - one person with an opinion, no more, no less - Chris from Lafayette 15:13:57 01/20/16 (2)
- A: "opinions are like asses; everybody's got one" - steve.ott@kctcs.edu 17:35:20 01/20/16 (1)
- I couldn't agree more [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 18:37:50 01/20/16 (0)
- I agree with Milton Cross - Jay Buridan 13:35:26 01/20/16 (2)
- Milton Cross - rbolaw 18:08:26 01/20/16 (0)
- RE: Did not know he recorded them. - steve.ott@kctcs.edu 17:37:20 01/20/16 (0)
- RE: Boulez calls Shostakovich a "second-rate composer" - ahendler 10:47:58 01/20/16 (8)
- ROTFLMAO WTOLRDMCheeks - Timbo in Oz 03:11:30 01/27/16 (0)
- Exactly +++1 [nt] - Mike Porper 14:47:57 01/21/16 (0)
- RE: Boulez calls Shostakovich a "second-rate composer" - Utley1 11:28:37 01/20/16 (4)
- RE: Boulez calls Shostakovich a "second-rate composer" - pbarach 18:59:11 01/20/16 (3)
- RE: Boulez calls Shostakovich a "second-rate composer" - Utley1 19:42:38 01/20/16 (2)
- RE: Boulez calls Shostakovich a "second-rate composer" - PAR 22:26:11 01/20/16 (1)
- RE: Boulez calls Shostakovich a "second-rate composer" - Utley1 04:51:14 01/21/16 (0)
- LOL! Who knows? [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 10:50:00 01/20/16 (0)