György Ligeti Edition, Vol. 2

György Ligeti's "György Ligeti Edition, Vol. 2" is a captivating exploration of avant-garde music, released on Sony Classical in 1996. This album offers a rich tapestry of Ligeti's distinctive compositional style, spanning a diverse range of pieces that showcase his innovative approach to melody, rhythm, and harmony.

The album opens with "Éjszaka" (Night) and "Reggel" (Morning), setting the tone for a journey through Ligeti's imaginative soundscapes. The suite "Idegen földön" (In a Foreign Land) is a standout, featuring four movements that evoke a sense of longing and introspection. Other notable tracks include "Magány" (Solitude), a hauntingly beautiful piece that highlights Ligeti's ability to convey deep emotion through music, and "Lux Aeterna," a choral work that has gained widespread acclaim for its ethereal quality.

Ligeti's fascination with Hungarian folk music is evident in tracks like "Mátraszentimrei Dalok" (Songs from Mátraszentimre) and "Hortobágy," which blend traditional melodies with modern composition techniques. The album also features several instrumental works, including the playful "Zwei Kanons" (Two Canons) and the intricate "Magyar Etüdök" (Hungarian Etudes), demonstrating Ligeti's mastery of form and structure.

With a duration of over an hour, this album is a testament to Ligeti's enduring influence on contemporary classical music. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to his work, "György Ligeti Edition, Vol. 2" offers a compelling introduction to the world of György Ligeti, one of the most original and visionary composers of the 20th century.