Ligeti: Works for Piano 3

I did not grow fond of this one, though I listened to it repeatedly. Nevertheless, I did find perhaps something in it. Musica ricercata is an interesting exploration of the spatial effects that a piano as a percussion instrument can develop. It concentrates on this by developing volume/intensity lines, by controlling reverberation, and by actually changing the spatial direction of sound, since a piano is a big instrument having different registers distinctively located.

• Études pour Piano (1er livre)


• Études pour Piano (2eme livre)


• Musica ricercata


• Études pour Piano (extrait du 3eme livre). XV White on White (world premiere recording)

Ligeti: The Ligeti Project II

Not everything is standard classical music (emphasize on classical). This is a well sought out version of Ligeti from 1923. Jonathan Nott directs the Berliner Philharmoniker. Great timbral combinations. The whole orchestra becomes one sound, shifting to another one. And yet, Concert Românesc has such lively East European (obviously) melody and rhythm, that is hard to believe it comes in the same Teldec Classics CD. I must remark Atmoshères for its suggestive nature.
I have to make a point here that my "grade" label is more on my own very personal relation to the work, than a (presumably very poor) aesthetic evaluation.
[edited 5-feb-08]

1. Lontano
2. Atmoshpères
3. Apparitions
4. San Francisco Polyphony
   
5. Concert Românesc.