The hectic international conducting schedule maintained by Pierre Boulez over the past decade has resulted in several live performances on VHS and DVD-Video – but, until now, no official rehearsal footage. This new release focuses on two works central to his repertoire, with the Berg Three Orchestral Pieces an appropriate choice for the Vienna Philharmonic. It might seem perverse that the length of the rehearsal sequences are in inverse proportion to the length and complexity of the actual pieces, but this allows for a complete run-through of ‘Präludium’, followed by a refinement process in which Boulez’s ear for orchestral balance and textural clarification is demonstrated at some length. The interspersed interview clips, recorded at Berg’s apartment in Vienna, are an effective complement – though to fade out the rehearsal of ‘Marsch’ as its climax approaches feels insensitive in context.

That Boulez can play straight through Notations (in the printed order, rather than the I-IV-III-II adopted in performance) says much about the VPO’s more inclusive attitude to repertoire in recent years. The tonal allure and sensitivity of its response is impressive, with passing doubts of individual players as to his technical demands overcome by the combination of patience, informality (Boulez seldom misses the opportunity for an anecdote) and even-handed coercion with which he gets the results required. Again, pithy and relevant interview material: interesting to reflect on the young Boulez as competent pianist, turning his virtuoso aspirations to the orchestra three decades later.

Director Felix Breisach had ensured a smooth follow-through between shots of the conductor in action and close-ups of the players as they quizzically but good-naturedly sort out various sticking-points (Boulez’s German appears to fail him only over the ‘straight mute’!). Both sound and picture reproduction are unexceptionally fine, with subtitles provided in four languages. Once again, however, the ArtHaus trailer previewing three other releases makes for a measly special feature. Was it really not possible to include concert performances of the works themselves? That aside, aficionados of Boulez and the ‘art’ of conducting will need to have this often revealing documentary.