Boulez, boo LEHZ, Pierre (1925-...), is a leading avant-garde (experimental) composer. He is also an important conductor and has presented the first performances of many works by living composers. From 1971 to 1977, Boulez was musical director of the New York Philharmonic. From 1979 to 1992, he served as president of IRCAM, an electronic music and research center and performance institute in Paris.