Boulez 100

International Conference Celebrating the Pierre Boulez Centenary

Nov. 13-15, 2025
Cleveland State University
School of Music

In partnership with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art, the School of Music at Cleveland State University celebrates Pierre Boulez’s centenary during the weekend of November 13 to 15 with a scholarly conference, a concert dedicated to Boulez’s music, a lunch concert with Boulez’s music, an exhibition displaying manuscripts, letters and photographs, a screening of a new documentary on Boulez and a panel discussion with musicians and colleagues who worked with Boulez.

Cleveland is the ideal place to celebrate Boulez's life and his work, as Cleveland deemed to be a pivotal city in North America for his career. Boulez cultivated close ties to Cleveland, especially to the Cleveland Orchestra of whom he was the Principal Guest Conductor from 1969 to 1971. He held annual residencies at the Cleveland Orchestra from 1992 to 2006, debuted his conducting career in the United States with the Cleveland Orchestra in 1965, and completed a series of legendary recordings for Deutsche Grammophon with the Cleveland Orchestra. Boulez was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2005.

Schedule:

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Performance Presentations, Drinko Recital Hall, Cleveland State University, 2001 Euclid Ave.
1:30-5:30 p.m. - Paper Presentations, Mather Mansion, Cleveland State University, 2605 Euclid Ave.
7:30 p.m. - Screening of Pierre Boulez - The Path into the Unknown, Schoo of Film & Media Arts, Cleveland State University, 1375 Euclid Ave., Suite 600

Friday, Nov. 14, 2025
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Paper Presentations, Mather Mansion, Cleveland State University, 2605 Euclid Ave.
1:30-5:30 p.m. - Paper Presentations, Mather Mansion, Cleveland State University, 2605 Euclid Ave.
7:30 p.m. - Concert - Music by Pierre Boulez, Gartner Auditorium at the Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Tickets required. Learn more here.

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Panel Discussion - Reinberger Chamber Hall at the Severance Music Center, 11001 Euclid Ave.
6:00 p.m. - Pierre Boulez Manuscript Display - Grand Foyer at the Severance Music Center, 11001 Euclid Ave.
7:30 p.m. - Cleveland Orchestra - Mahler 6th Symphony, Severance Music Center, 11001 Euclid Ave. Tickets required. Learn more here.