‘ ; PierreBoulez returns to i the Festival for a second year running in a rather stringent 3 programme of works i by Schoenberg and
‘ Webern. so don‘t ' ll
it;
expect to leave humming the tunes. Since the 50s Boulcz‘s hardline ' serialism — which favours an atonal. mathematical approach to composition — has been one of the dominating presences of the modern era. as 1 significant an inspiration as leading avant-garde composer Stockhausen. But for those who did not accept his rigourous approach. Boulez. casts a giant shadow out of which they struggled to shine. This year he comes to Edinburgh as a conductor. a role in which his intellectual purpose and attention to musical detail are as evident as in his composition. .Piert‘e Boulez and the Ensemble lntereontemporain are the Queen ’3 Hall on 28 Aug at 7. 30pm.
The supersonic gin-and-tonics stayed on ice atter Oasis were beaten to the number one spot by arch-rivals Blur, but for music archivist M.C. Strong’s money they are still the most exciting group since The Smiths. It’s a sign of how last things change in the crazy world of Britpop — Oasis didn’t even warrant a mention in Strong’s exhaustive tome The Great Book Discography published last year. The new revised edition with
illustrations by Harry Horse is
launched next week and you can win a copy. See p58.
Top Ten
Those who have tallen by the wayside are wimps; in the struggle for survival that is known as the Festival only the strong survive. We bring you the ten shows most likely to hold their own in the gladiators’ pit.
I Dance: Nellten An ambitious, spectacular production for radical German choreographer Pina Bausch. involving a cast of dancers. actors. uniformed guards. Alsatians and 4000 carnations. Edinburgh Playhouse. 3] Aug—2 Sept.
I The Edinburgh Mela Two full days of pan-cultural party start here. From world music to soul food the Mela gives the fag end of the Festival a kick up the backside and screams ‘Lets have some FUN !' Meudmrbunk Stadium. 2/3 Sept.
I Music: Requiem tor a Young Poet The SWF Symphony Orchestra Baden- Baden. conducted by Michael Gielen. performs Zimmermann‘s rarely seen. massive choral work. Usher Hull. Tue 29 Aug.
I Comedy: Phil Kay Regular comedy watchers in Scotland who feel a twinge of Phil Phatigue need not be afraid: Glasgow's Jesus lookalike is back on Messianic fortn. Go along and see the light. (Ii/(led Balloon, until 2 Sept.
I Theatre: The Holy Ground Writer Dermot Bolger has won another Fringe First for this Talking Heads-style monologue. A recent widow remembers a loveless marriage and a husband's descent into bigotry. Assembly Rooms. until 2 Sept.
I The Tim Vine Fiasco His jokes are a bunch ofcorny one-liners, he looks like a cross between Jason Donovan and a young Peter Davison. but believe us. he‘s by far the funniest bloke in top hat and tails on this year's Fringe. l’leusunt'e. until 2 Sept.
I Film: Small Faces Scottish director Gillies Mackinnon filters tales of Glasgow gang violence in the late 60s through the eyes of a thineen-year-old boy. An excellent portrayal of how the gangs carved up Glasgow and each other. l'ilnthnuse. 25/26 Aug.
I Art: John Bellany: Prints and New Paintings Best known for his big allegorical paintings. Bellany is also a talented printmaker. This exhibition presents a retrospective of prints that spans the last 30 years as well as some stunning new paintings. The perfect way to escape the Festival frenzy. 'Iulbut Rice Gallery. until I] Sept.
I Theatre: Soup Michael Mears ofthe Salisbury Playhouse takes on the roles of a castful of characters in this sharp- witted. hard-hitting one-man show about homelessness. Pleusunee. until 2 Sept.
I Theatre: Wlerszalln Third stunning show in a row for the Polish theatre company who mix mime, puppetry and music. This play is based on a traditional story about the biblical wrath that is visited on a small village. Theatre llbrkslmp, tutti! 2 Sept.
The List 25 Aug-7 Sept 1995 5