Pierre Boulez is arguably the single most influential - and controversial - figure in the world of music today. As composer, conductor and personality, his challenging views are lent a special authority by his very high standing as an interpreter of great composers such as Wagner, Debussy, Bartók and Stravinsky. He regularly appears to great acclaim on concert platforms and in opera houses around the world.

In these unique conversations with Cécile Gilly, he recalls not only the great moments of his career, but brings penetrating insights into the art of conducting, including his views on other great composer-conductors (Berlioz, Wagner, Mahler, Strauss). Boulez speaks unusually frankly about his own rapport with conductors as a composer, and how he sees the role of the conductor today.

Translated by: Richard Stokes