György Ligeti's 1994 album "Ligeti: Cello Concerto; Violin Concerto; Piano Concerto" is a masterful exploration of avant-garde classical music, showcasing the composer's innovative and boundary-pushing style. This collection, released under Deutsche Grammophon, features three of Ligeti's most significant concertos, each offering a unique and captivating listening experience.
The album opens with the Piano Concerto, a five-movement work that spans a wide range of tempos and moods, from the rhythmic precision of the first movement to the luminous energy of the final Presto. The Cello Concerto follows, with its hauntingly beautiful slow movements and intricate rhythmic patterns. The Violin Concerto, the most extensive piece on the album, is a tour de force of contemporary classical music, featuring a diverse array of styles and techniques, from the luminous Praeludium to the intense and dramatic Appassionato.
Performed by the Ensemble Intercontemporain and conducted by Pierre Boulez, this album is a testament to Ligeti's enduring influence on the world of classical music. The performances are precise, nuanced, and deeply expressive, bringing out the full depth and complexity of Ligeti's compositions. Whether you're a longtime fan of Ligeti's work or a newcomer to his music, this album is sure to captivate and inspire. With a total runtime of just over an hour, it's a perfect introduction to the world of György Ligeti and his groundbreaking contributions to the avant-garde.
Piano Concerto: I. Vivace molto ritmico e preciso –György Ligeti, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Piano Concerto: II. Lento e desertoGyörgy Ligeti, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Piano Concerto: III. Vivace cantabileGyörgy Ligeti, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Piano Concerto: IV. Allegro risoluto, molto ritmico –György Ligeti, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Piano Concerto: V. Presto luminoso. Fluido, costante, sempre molto ritmicoGyörgy Ligeti, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Cello Concerto: I. Quarter = 40. –György Ligeti, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Cello Concerto: II. (Lo stesso tempo)György Ligeti, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Violin Concerto: I. Praeludium. Vivacissimo luminoso –György Ligeti, Saschko Gawriloff, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Violin Concerto: II. Aria, Hoquetus, Chorale. Andante con moto –György Ligeti, Saschko Gawriloff, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Violin Concerto: III. Intermezzo. Presto fluidoGyörgy Ligeti, Saschko Gawriloff, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Violin Concerto: IV. Passacaglia. Lento intensoGyörgy Ligeti, Saschko Gawriloff, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez
Violin Concerto: V. Appassionato. Agitato moltoGyörgy Ligeti, Saschko Gawriloff, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez