Pierre Boulez, Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, rehearses members of the New York Philharmonic in the three movement overture to Haydn's opera "The Improvised Meeting" (L'Incontro Improviso). Boulez discusses with Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic, music and various aspects of the challenges of presenting music to audiences. Performance of the Overture :25 Boulez conducting Haydn in studio.:45 Program host Jim MacAndrew explains this is first of two programs (the second is Stravinsky's "Concertino") rehearsed and conducted by Boulez.6:55 Boulez in conversation with Michael Tilson Thomas re programs. "Programs should be 'seasons.'" Explains why he chose Liszt last year and Haydn this year (1972). Both "not fully known composers." Haydn "not treated importantly." Haydn's "Masses" not known (except "The Nelson"). Boulez gives history of Haydn and his period and of his operas. They were not performed in Vienna, only in private for Prince Esterhazy. "L'Incontro Improviso" was related to Mozart's "Abduction from the Seraglio". 18th century opera was "escape theatre." Discusses instruments used and explains the three movement overture to "L'Incontro", calls it "not frozen Haydn." 11:00 Rehearsal of the Overture ... "keeping together ... precise dotted 8th note ... no crescendo ... very smooth now ..." 14:00 Performance of the Overture (the three movements clearly separated).