György Kurtág, a titan of contemporary classical music, presents a monumental collection of his works in "Complete Works for Ensemble and Choir." Released on ECM New Series in 2017, this three-disc set spans over two and a half hours of profound musical exploration. Kurtág, known for his intricate compositions and deep emotional resonance, offers a comprehensive journey through his ensemble and choral works, showcasing his unique voice in the classical genre.
The album features 52 tracks, including notable pieces such as "4 Capriccios, Op. 9," "Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17," and "Songs to Poems by Anna Akhmatova, Op. 41." Each composition is a testament to Kurtág's mastery of form and emotion, blending technical precision with deeply moving expressions. The performances, led by conductor Reinbert de Leeuw and featuring the Netherlands Radio Choir and Asko|Schönberg ensemble, are executed with meticulous attention to detail, bringing Kurtág's vision to life with unparalleled clarity and depth.
Critics have praised the album for its devotional precision and commitment, highlighting Kurtág's ability to create music that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. The collection is a treasure trove for both longtime fans and newcomers to Kurtág's work, offering a comprehensive overview of his contributions to contemporary classical music. Whether you are drawn to the haunting beauty of "Songs of Despair and Sorrow, Op. 18" or the intricate layers of "quasi una fantasia..., Op. 27/1," this album is a testament to Kurtág's enduring legacy and artistic brilliance.
4 Capriccios, Op. 9: Paris I: Musée de Cluny. La Dame à la LicorneGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
4 Capriccios, Op. 9: Paris II: Tour Saint-JacquesGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
4 Capriccios, Op. 9: NyelvleckeGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
4 Capriccios, Op. 9: Ars poeticaGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
4 Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky, Op. 11: No. 1, AlkoholGyörgy Kurtág, Harry Van Der Kamp, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
4 Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky, Op. 11: No. 2, In memoriam F.M. DosztojevszkijGyörgy Kurtág, Harry Van Der Kamp, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
4 Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky, Op. 11: No. 3, HölderlinGyörgy Kurtág, Harry Van Der Kamp, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
4 Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky, Op. 11: No. 4, VerésGyörgy Kurtág, Harry Van Der Kamp, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Grabstein für Stephan, Op. 15cGyörgy Kurtág, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 1. Loneliness: In a Space of ...György Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 1. Loneliness: The Day Has FallenGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 2. A Little Erotic: HeatGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 2. A Little Erotic: 2 Interlaced Bodies ...György Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 2. A Little Erotic: Why Should I Not Squeal Like a PigGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 2. A Little Erotic: ChastushkaGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: You Took My HeartGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: Great MiseryGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: PebblesGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: A Slender NeedleGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: I Know My Loved One ...György Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: Autumn Flowers Fading ...György Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: In You I Seek My Salvation ...György Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: Your Disappearances ...György Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: Without YouGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: Love Me ...György Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: RetaliationGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: A PlaythingGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: Why Did You Utter ...György Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: In The Cloudburst ...György Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova, Op. 17, Pt. 3. Bitter Experience – Delight and Grief: For Everything ... (Epilogue)György Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
...quasi una fantasia..., Op. 27/1: I. IntroduzioneGyörgy Kurtág, Tamara Stefanovich, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
...quasi una fantasia..., Op. 27/1: II. Presto minaccioso e lamentoso (Wie ein Traumeswirren)György Kurtág, Tamara Stefanovich, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
...quasi una fantasia..., Op. 27/1: III. Recit. Grave, disperatoGyörgy Kurtág, Tamara Stefanovich, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
...quasi una fantasia..., Op. 27/1: IV. Aria – Adagio moltoGyörgy Kurtág, Tamara Stefanovich, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Double Concerto, Op. 27/2: I. Poco allegretto – II. L'istesso tempo. Quasi più mosso) – III. Presto agitatoGyörgy Kurtág, Tamara Stefanovich, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Double Concerto, Op. 27/2: IV. Adagio – LargoGyörgy Kurtág, Tamara Stefanovich, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Samuel Beckett – What Is the Word, Op. 30bGyörgy Kurtág, Gerrie de Vries, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Songs of Despair and Sorrow, Op. 18: So Weary, So Wretched ...György Kurtág, Netherlands Radio Choir, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Songs of Despair and Sorrow, Op. 18: Night, an Empty Street, a Lamp, a Drug-StoreGyörgy Kurtág, Netherlands Radio Choir, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Songs of Despair and Sorrow, Op. 18: Blue EveningGyörgy Kurtág, Netherlands Radio Choir, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Songs of Despair and Sorrow, Op. 18: Where Can I Go to in This January?György Kurtág, Netherlands Radio Choir, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Songs of Despair and Sorrow, Op. 18: CrucifixionGyörgy Kurtág, Netherlands Radio Choir, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Songs of Despair and Sorrow, Op. 18: It's TimeGyörgy Kurtág, Netherlands Radio Choir, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Songs to Poems by Anna Akhmatova, Op. 41: PushkinGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Songs to Poems by Anna Akhmatova, Op. 41: To Aleksandr BlokGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Songs to Poems by Anna Akhmatova, Op. 41: DirgeGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Songs to Poems by Anna Akhmatova, Op. 41: VoronezhGyörgy Kurtág, Natalia Zagorinskaja, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Colindă-Baladă, Op. 46György Kurtág, Yves Saelens, Netherlands Radio Choir, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Brefs messages, Op. 47: FanfareGyörgy Kurtág, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
Brefs messages, Op. 47: Versetto. Temptavit Deus AbrahamGyörgy Kurtág, Asko Schönberg, Reinbert de Leeuw
György Kurtág, born in 1926 in Lugoj, Romania, is a renowned Hungarian composer and pianist celebrated for his mastery of concision in contemporary classical music. His compositions, often miniatures, distill complex emotions into a few poignant notes, reflecting the influence of giants like Béla Bartók. Kurtág's journey began with studies at the Budapest Academy of Music, where he learned from esteemed professors such as Pál Kadosa and Leó Weiner. His works, spanning solo instrumental pieces to chamber music, have earned him prestigious awards, including the Kossuth Prize and the Erkel Ferenc Prize. Kurtág's music is not just heard but experienced, inviting listeners into a world of profound musical reflection and emotional depth.
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György Kurtág
