György Ligeti, a titan of 20th-century avant-garde music, presents a captivating journey through his Piano & Harpsichord Works on this 2003 release from TACET Musikproduktion. Spanning over two hours, this collection showcases Ligeti's innovative compositions, blending traditional forms with modernist techniques.
The album opens with a series of works for piano four-hands, including the playful "March for Piano 4-Hands" and the intricate "Polyphonic Etude for Piano 4-Hands." These pieces highlight Ligeti's ability to weave complex textures and rhythms into engaging musical dialogues. The "Musica ricercata" cycle, a set of eleven piano pieces, demonstrates Ligeti's mastery of minimalist structures and his exploration of microtonal harmonies.
For harpsichord enthusiasts, the album offers three standout works: "Continuum," "Passacaglia ungherese," and "Hungarian Rock." These pieces push the boundaries of the harpsichord, exploiting its unique timbres and resonances to create mesmerizing soundscapes.
The centerpiece of the album is Ligeti's monumental "Études pour piano," a collection of eighteen etudes that span three books. These etudes are technical tour de force, each exploring a different musical idea or pianistic challenge. From the rhythmic vitality of "Désordre" to the ethereal beauty of "White on White," these pieces showcase Ligeti's boundless creativity and his deep understanding of the piano.
Throughout the album, Ligeti's distinctive voice shines through, blending elements of Hungarian folk music, modernist experimentation, and classical forms. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado of contemporary music or a curious newcomer, this collection offers a rich and rewarding exploration of one of the most significant composers of our time.
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