Gloria Cheng and Ralph van Raat, Resonant Encounters: Boulez, Feldman, Cage and Beyond at UCLA Nimoy Theater

Pianists Gloria Cheng and Ralph van Raat pay homage to the legacy of Pierre Boulez, the unparalleled French composer, conductor and cultural visionary whose centennial celebrations have been celebrated around the world. A defining force in postwar contemporary music, Boulez left an indelible mark on the sound of the 20th century.

In this duo piano concert, Cheng and van Raat explore Boulez’s legacy through his solo and duo compositions, presented alongside works by John Cage, Morton Feldman, Frank Zappa, Magnus Lindberg and Olivier Messiaen. The evening traces Boulez’s broad musical connections, from his well-documented mutual respect with Zappa to his complex relationships with Cage and Feldman, offering a profound reflection on his impact and the cross-pollination of musical ideas across generations.