György Kurtág, a revered figure in the classical music world, presents "Ligatura," a captivating collection of piano works that showcase his unique compositional voice. Released on June 4, 2021, under the Stradivarius label, this album spans a little over an hour, offering a rich tapestry of classical piano music that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.
The album is a compendium of excerpts from Kurtág's "Játékok" (Games) series, interspersed with standalone pieces and homages to other composers. Kurtág's music is known for its depth, complexity, and profound emotional depth, and "Ligatura" is no exception. The pieces range from intimate and reflective to vibrant and playful, demonstrating Kurtág's versatility and mastery of the piano.
Highlights include homages to composers such as Shostakovich, Schubert, and Bach, as well as original compositions like "Perpetuum mobile" and "Play with Infinity." The album also features tributes to Kurtág's contemporaries and friends, adding a personal touch to the collection.
"Ligatura" is a testament to Kurtág's enduring influence and his ability to create music that is both deeply personal and universally appealing. Whether you're a longtime fan of Kurtág's work or a newcomer to his music, this album offers a rewarding and engaging listening experience.
2021 Stradivarius2021 Stradivarius
Tracks
Játékok, Vol. 1 (Excerpts): Perpetuum mobile [Objet trouvé]György Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 7 (Excerpts): Eine blume für Ulrike SchusterGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 3 (Excerpts): Play with InfinityGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 3 (Excerpts): Pen Drawing [Valediction to Erzsébet Schaár]György Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 2 (Excerpts): FifthsGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 2 (Excerpts): FancifullyGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 3 (Excerpts): Quiet Talk with the DevilGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 3 (Excerpts): Hommage à Domenico ScarlattiGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Piano Sonata in D Minor, Kk. 32Domenico Scarlatti, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 5 (Excerpts): Bells for Margit MándyGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 5 (Excerpts): Bell-Fanfare for Sándor VeressGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 5 (Excerpts): Flowers We AreGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 5 (Excerpts): Grassblades in Memory of Klára MartynGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 3 (Excerpts): Hammage à Borsody László [Harmonica]György Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 3 (Excerpts): Hommage à SchubertGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Hungarian Melody in B Minor, D. 817Franz Schubert, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 5 (Excerpts): In Memoriam György SzoltsányiGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 3 (Excerpts): Shadow-PlayGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 3 (Excerpts): Hommage à Ránki GyörgyGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 2 (Excerpts): Waltz [Hommage à Shostakovich]György Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Prelude in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 34 No. 10Dmitri Shostakovich, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 6 (Excerpts): In Dark Days [For Ferenc Farkas]György Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 7 (Excerpts): Hommage à Berényi Ferenc 70György Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 7 (Excerpts): Ligatura for LigetiGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 1 (Excerpts): Hommage à TchaikovskyGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135: No. 10, October (Autumn Song)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 2 (Excerpts): Antiphony in F-SharpGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 3 (Excerpts): Obstinate in A-FlatGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 6 (Excerpts): DoinaGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 5 (Excerpts): Fanfare to Judit Maros' WeddingGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 6 (Excerpts): Les adieux [In Janačeks Manier]György Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
On an Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17, Series 1: No. 5, They Chattered Like SwallowsLeoš Janáček, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 9 (Excerpts): Second Strictly Personal Letter to András Szöllösy on His 85th BirthdayGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 5 (Excerpts): Reticent QuestionGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 5 (Excerpts): WaltzGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 9 (Excerpts): Claudia [Litaneien]György Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 6 (Excerpts): Ligatura XGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 3 (Excerpts): Hommage à Johann Sebastian BachGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: III. SarabandeJohann Sebastian Bach, Maria Grazia Bellocchio
Játékok, Vol. 6 (Excerpts): Ligatura YGyörgy Kurtág, Maria Grazia Bellocchio