Conception and Composition
The piece was begun in 1957 with the composition of the first two "Improvisations on Mallarmé" for soprano and percussion ensemble. In 1959 a third "Improvisation" was written, for soprano, instrumental ensemble and a large group of percussion, together with "Tombeau", for soprano and large orchestra. In 1960, what is now the opening movement of the piece, "Don", was completed in a version for soprano and piano. In 1962, this movement was rescored for soprano and orchestra, and "Improvisation I" was also rescored, completing the work in its initial form.
As with many of his other pieces, Boulez later returned to the work and revised it. In the 1980s "Don" was rewritten and "Improvisation III" was revised. In both cases, Boulez removed some flexibility which had previously been allowed in the order in which sections of these movements might be played.
Improvisation II contrasts "three different kinds of sounds—fixed pitch, partially pitched, and unpitched ('noise')".
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