Pierre Boulez, Prominent French Composer and Writer, Dies at 90

Perhaps one of the most prominent figures in classical music over the last century, French composer-cum-writer, Pierre Boulez , died in his home in Baden-Baden, Germany. He was 90 years old.

His death was confirmed in a statement to the Philharmonie de Paris, provided by his family.

With a career that spanned the post-World War II avant-garde movement to the computer age, Mr. Boulez challenged the foundation of classical music from a young age. From his 20s on, he proved to be of the echelon of uniquely talented composers and artists.

Not just a composer, either, he was a prolific writer and pianist an head of the world-renowned venue, the Paris Philharmonic.

French President Francois Hollande said in a statement, "Pierre Boulez made French music shine throughout the world. As a composer and conductor, he always wanted to reflect on the ages."

Born in 1925 in the Loire region of France, Boulez studied at the Paris Conservatory.

Under the tutelage of Olivier Messiaen and René Leibowitz, he emerged as a new conductor in the late 1950s and hit his peak in the '60s--appearing with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Berlin Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra.

Boulez's unique sound and quality of music, also, came from other forms of art, most notably the surrealist movement in poetry, which is central to French aesthetics. One of his most notable works, "Le Marteau Sans Maitre,' was inspired by how abstract and free-to-form surrealism was in art and poetry.

Fresh Air's Lloyd Schwartz wrote of the 26-time Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor:

"Boulez is famous for his amazing ear. He lets you hear every detail. But there are two other Boulez qualities he isn't often given credit for. One is his innate and effortless sense of the right style. In Boulez's hands, Haydn's symphony - for a change - actually sounds Viennese."

A most unfortunate loss to classical music, Mr. Boulez will be remembered for his legacy in music. We extend our condolences to his family and loved ones.