"Flowers We Are..." is a captivating exploration of the piano repertoire by the renowned Hungarian composer György Kurtág. Released on September 15, 2023, via Ars Produktion, this album is a testament to Kurtág's unique compositional voice, blending intricate classical structures with a deep sense of intimacy and reflection.
The album features a selection of Kurtág's "Játékok" (Games) from Book 8, alongside his arrangements of Bach's chorale preludes for piano four hands. The "Játékok" series is known for its delicate, often haunting, and always deeply personal pieces, inspired by the poetry of János Pilinszky and other literary figures. These works showcase Kurtág's ability to evoke profound emotions through sparse, evocative textures and subtle harmonic shifts.
In addition to the "Játékok" pieces, the album includes Kurtág's arrangements of Bach's chorale preludes, which offer a striking contrast to the contemporary works. These arrangements, performed by the talented duo Ani & Nia Sulkhanishvili, demonstrate Kurtág's deep respect for the Baroque master while also showcasing his own compositional ingenuity.
The album's title, "Flowers We Are...", is drawn from one of the "Játékok" pieces and reflects the delicate, ephemeral quality of many of the works on the album. The performances, by the Sulkhanishvili sisters, are marked by their technical virtuosity and deep musical sensitivity, bringing out the full range of colors and nuances in Kurtág's scores.
With a duration of just over 53 minutes, "Flowers We Are..." is a compact yet powerful collection that offers a compelling introduction to Kurtág's unique musical language. Whether you're a longtime fan of Kurtág's work or a newcomer to his music, this album is sure to leave a lasting impression.
2023 ARS Produktion2023 ARS Produktion
Tracks
Játékok, Book 8: Flower We Are... (Embracing Sounds)György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599 (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands by György Kurtág)Johann Sebastian Bach, György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: One More Voice from Far AwayGyörgy Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn, BWV 601 (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands by György Kurtág)Johann Sebastian Bach, György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: Responsorium (Pilinszky "Egy hófehér kar")György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: Hommage à J.S.B.György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 687 (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands by György Kurtág)Johann Sebastian Bach, György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: DirgeGyörgy Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot', BWV 635 (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands by György Kurtág)Johann Sebastian Bach, György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: Study to Pilinszky's "Hölderlin" (Position Exercise)György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Alle Menschen müssen sterben, BWV 643 (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands by György Kurtág)Johann Sebastian Bach, György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: Beating - QuarrellingGyörgy Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: A Quiet Farewell to Endre SzékelyGyörgy Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Gott, durch deine Güte, BWV 600 (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands by György Kurtág)Johann Sebastian Bach, György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: Pilinszky János. WaltzGyörgy Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: FalteringGyörgy Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Das alte jahr vergangen ist, BWV 614 (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands by György Kurtág)Johann Sebastian Bach, György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: Flowers We Are... For MiyakoGyörgy Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106 "Actus tragicus": Sonatina (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands by György Kurtág)Johann Sebastian Bach, György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: In Memoriam Sebők GyörgyGyörgy Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: ...tot ziens Jan...György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, BWV 618 (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands by György Kurtág)Johann Sebastian Bach, György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: Flowers We Are... For Miyako (Alio modo)György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: ...A Solemn Air...György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 711 (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands by György Kurtág)Johann Sebastian Bach, György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Játékok, Book 8: Flowers We Are...György Kurtág, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
IndulóGyörgy Ligeti, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
Polifón etüdGyörgy Ligeti, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
3 Lakodalmi táncGyörgy Ligeti, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
SonatinaGyörgy Ligeti, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
AllegroGyörgy Ligeti, Ani Sulkhanishvili, Nia Sulkhanishvili
György Kurtág, born in 1926 in Lugoj, Romania, is a renowned Hungarian composer, pianist, and chamber music teacher, celebrated for his mastery of concision in musical composition. His works, often condensed into a few poignant notes, carry profound emotional depth and complexity. Kurtág began his musical journey in Temesvár and later studied at the Budapest Academy of Music under esteemed professors like Pál Kadosa and Sándor Veress. His discography includes notable releases such as "Játékok" and "From Afar," showcasing his unique style that blends classical piano and chamber music genres. Kurtág's contributions to music have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Kossuth Prize and the Erkel Ferenc Prize, solidifying his status as one of the greatest living composers. His compositions, such as the String Quartet No. 1 and the Eight Pieces for piano, are testament to his innovative and introspective approach to music.
Vinylscout
György Kurtág
