Boulez, Pierre (1925)

French composer, conductor, and pianist, born in Montbrison. During the late 1940s and the 1950s he composed highly experimental music based on the twelve-tone system, including works scored for electronic instruments. Boulez was a guest conductor of the Cleveland (Ohio) Orchestra, and later he served as both chief conductor of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Symphony Orchestra in London and as music director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra (see Conducting). Boulez resigned his position with the New York Philharmonic in 1977 to direct an experimental music research center he had founded in 1974 in Paris. Boulez's compositions include three piano sonatas, an orchestral work, and a piece for solo clarinet and 21 instruments. In 1995 he was appointed principal guest conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.