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Through the Lens: Boulez - Sonic Structures

Sunday 5 October opened our new season at the Southbank Centre with Boulez: Sonic Structures - a night celebrating legendary French composer Pierre Boulez in his centenary year.

A composer who rebuilt music from the inside out, Boulez dismantled its foundations to reveal new forms of expression. Sonic Structures traced that pursuit through two intimately connected works - Mémoriale and …explosante-fixe… - each revealing his fascination with sound, structure, and transformation. Following an illuminating discussion between Sir George Benjamin and Andrew Gerzso on Boulez’s partnership with technology, the ensemble performed …explosante-fixe…, an endlessly evolving masterpiece balancing precision and chaos. 

Performing side by side with the Royal Academy of Music Manson Ensemble as part of our Playing the Future programme, the London Sinfonietta captured the restless energy at the heart of Boulez’s music - structure transformed into sound.

An evening of rare insight and resonance, Boulez: Sonic Structures marked both a celebration and a beginning - the start of a new London Sinfonietta season dedicated to exploration, innovation, and discovery.

c Monika S Jakubowska

The soloist is the puppet-master at the centre of a retinue dancing to his tune. The playing was superb, but the London Sinfonietta was founded to perform such music. While …explosante-fixe… has its challenges, it is rewarding to encounter them through such dedicated musicianship. " Bachtrack
George Benjamin c Monika S Jakubowska

Published: 7 Oct 2025