György Ligeti was a Hungarian composer known for his avant-garde contributions to contemporary classical music.
Ligeti is often regarded as one of the most innovative and influential composers of the latter half of the twentieth century.
His best-known works include 'Atmosphères,' 'Lux Aeterna,' and the opera 'Le Grand Macabre.'
Biography
Early Life
György Sándor Ligeti was born on May 28, 1923, in Hungary. He grew up in a culturally rich environment that would later influence his innovative approach to music. Ligeti's early exposure to various musical styles laid the groundwork for his future as a composer. His career spanned several decades, during which he became known as one of the most important avant-garde composers of the 20th century.
Career
Ligeti's career took off in the 1960s when his works began to gain international recognition. He was celebrated for his unique sound, characterized by complex textures and innovative use of rhythm. Some of his most notable compositions include "Atmosphères," "Lux Aeterna," and the opera "Le Grand Macabre." His music gained a wider audience through its inclusion in Stanley Kubrick's films, particularly in "2001: A Space Odyssey," where pieces like "Atmosphères" and "Lux Aeterna" were featured prominently.
Throughout his life, Ligeti received numerous prestigious awards, including the Kossuth Prize and the Praemium Imperiale, reflecting his significant contributions to contemporary classical music. He was also honored with honorary doctorates and memberships in various music societies, underscoring his influence and legacy in the world of music.
Legacy
Ligeti's legacy is marked by his innovative spirit and his role in shaping contemporary classical music. He is often mentioned alongside other great composers like Boulez and Stockhausen, recognized for his ability to push the boundaries of musical form and expression. His three books of piano études have become essential repertoire for pianists, further solidifying his impact on the music world. Ligeti passed away on June 12, 2006, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to inspire musicians and composers today.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Cello Concerto / Piano Concerto / Chamber Concerto1994
- 1.Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: I. ♩ = 407:29
- 2.Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: II. (Lo stesso tempo)7:38
- 3.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: I. Vivace molto ritmico e preciso3:43
- 4.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: II. Lento e deserto6:50
- 5.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: III. Vivace cantabile4:04
- 6.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: IV. Allegro risoluto4:55
- 7.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: V. Presto luminoso3:31
- 8.Chamber Concerto for 13 Instrumentalists: I. Corrente (Fließend)5:09
- 9.Chamber Concerto for 13 Instrumentalists: II. Calmo, sostenuto6:04
- 10.Chamber Concerto for 13 Instrumentalists: III. Movimento preciso e meccanico3:41
- 11.Chamber Concerto for 13 Instrumentalists: IV. Presto3:30
Boulez Conducts Ligeti: Concertos for Cello / Violin / Piano1994
- 1.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: I. Vivace molto ritmico e preciso - attacca subito3:55
- 2.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: II. Lento e deserto7:01
- 3.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: III. Vivace cantabile4:23
- 4.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: IV. Allegro, risoluto, colto ritmico - attacca subito4:48
- 5.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: V. Presto luminoso: fluido, constate, sempre molto ritmico3:25
- 6.Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra: Quarter = 40 - attacca6:54
- 7.Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra: (Lo stesso tempo) Quarter = 408:19
- 8.Concerto for Violin and Orchestra: I. Praeludium: Vivacissimo luminoso - attacca4:18
- 9.Concerto for Violin and Orchestra: II. Aria, Hoquetus, Choral: Andante con moto - attacca8:15
- 10.Concerto for Violin and Orchestra: III. Intermezzo: Presto fluido2:44
- 11.Concerto for Violin and Orchestra: IV. Passacaglia: Lento intenso5:55
- 12.Concerto for Violin and Orchestra: V. Appassionato: Agitato molto7:13
Of Eternal Light1993
- 1.Return to Earth6:27
- 2.O Sacrum Convivium5:14
- 3.Water Music: A Requiem: I.12:41
- 4.Water Music: A Requiem: II.9:55
- 5.Lux Aeterna8:17
- 6.Graveside4:41
- 7.Seven Sounds Unseen: I3:12
- 8.Seven Sounds Unseen: II14:21
- 9.Seven Sounds Unseen: III5:12
Horn Trios by Brahms & Ligeti1993
- 1.Trio in E-flat, op. 40: I. Andante9:00
- 2.Trio in E-flat, op. 40: II. Scherzo. Allegro7:35
- 3.Trio in E-flat, op. 40: III. Adagio mesto8:37
- 4.Trio in E-flat, op. 40: IV. Finale. Allegro con brio6:24
- 5.Trio "Hommage a Brahms": I. Andantino con tenerezza6:49
- 6.Trio "Hommage a Brahms": II. Vivacissimo molto ritmico4:55
- 7.Trio "Hommage a Brahms": III. Alla Marcia3:20
- 8.Trio "Hommage a Brahms": IV. Lamento Adagio9:28
Trio für Violine, Horn und Klavier / Passacaglia ungherese / Hungarian Rock / Continuum / Monument · Selbstportrait · Bewegung1993
- 1.Trio für Violine, Horn und Klavier: I. Andantino con tenerezza6:14
- 2.Trio für Violine, Horn und Klavier: II. Vivacissimo molto ritmico5:13
- 3.Trio für Violine, Horn und Klavier: III. Alla Marcia3:02
- 4.Trio für Violine, Horn und Klavier: IV. Lamento. Adagio6:59
- 5.Passacaglia ungherese4:40
- 6.Hungarian Rock (Chaconne)5:00
- 7.Continuum3:59
- 8.3 Stücke für zwei Klaviere: I. Monument4:30
- 9.3 Stücke für zwei Klaviere: II. Selbstportrait mit Reich und Riley (und Chopin ist auch dabei)7:08
- 10.3 Stücke für zwei Klaviere: III. In zart fließender Bewegung4:09
Ligeti / Villa-Lobos / Barber / Hindemith / Stockhausen1992
- 1.Six Bagatelles: Bagatelle no. 111:33
- 2.Six Bagatelles: Bagatelle no. 211:33
- 3.Six Bagatelles: Bagatelle no. 311:33
- 4.Six Bagatelles: Bagatelle no. 411:33
- 5.Six Bagatelles: Bagatelle no. 511:33
- 6.Six Bagatelles: Bagatelle no. 611:33
- 7.Quintette en forme de chôros10:17
- 8.Summer Music, op. 3111:19
- 9.Kleine Kammermusik, op. 24 no. 2: Kleine Kammermusik I13:04
- 10.Kleine Kammermusik, op. 24 no. 2: Kleine Kammermusik II13:04
- 11.Kleine Kammermusik, op. 24 no. 2: Kleine Kammermusik III13:04
- 12.Kleine Kammermusik, op. 24 no. 2: Kleine Kammermusik IV13:04
- 13.Kleine Kammermusik, op. 24 no. 2: Kleine Kammermusik V13:04
- 14.Adieu, no. 2110:43
Horn Trios1992
- 1.Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano in E-flat major, op. 40: 1. Andante7:25
- 2.Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano in E-flat major, op. 40: 2. Scherzo: Allegro7:24
- 3.Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano in E-flat major, op. 40: 3. Adagio mesto7:13
- 4.Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano in E-flat major, op. 40: 4. Allegro con brio6:23
- 5.Trio for Violin, Horn, Piano: 1. Andantino con tenerezza6:12
- 6.Trio for Violin, Horn, Piano: 2. Vivacissimo molto ritmico5:20
- 7.Trio for Violin, Horn, Piano: 3. Alla Marcia3:37
- 8.Trio for Violin, Horn, Piano: 4. Lamento: Adagio7:59
Lutosławski, Ligeti: Streichquartette / Schnittke: Kanon In Memoriam I. Strawinsky1991
- 1.Streichquartett Nr. 1 (Métamorphoses nocturnes)20:13
- 2.Streichquartett: I. Introductory Movement9:04
- 3.Streichquartett: II. Main Movement16:42
- 4.Kanon in Memoriam I. Strawinsky für Streichquartett: Lento8:02
Le Grand Macabre1991
- 1.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Vorspiel zum 1. Bild1:09
- 2.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Bild 1. Dies irae, dies illa… und Aufritt des Liebespaares6:36
- 3.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Bild 1. Erscheinen Nekrotzars aus dem Grab: Zurück, du Fettwanst!…4:47
- 4.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Bild 1. Nekrotzars Verkündigung. Heute noch, um Mitternacht…5:02
- 5.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Bild 1. Finale - Nekrotzar: Beim allerhöchsten Willen… und Liebesduett4:37
- 6.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Zwischenspiel zwischen Bild 1 und Bild 20:57
- 7.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Bild 2. Häusliche Szene: Mescalina: Eins! Zwei! Drei! Fünf! Astradamors: Au!3:35
- 8.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Bild 2. Mescalinas Klage: O weh! O weh! Wer soll spülen? Wer soll waschen?, Szene mit der Spinne und Galoppade.4:44
- 9.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Bild 2. Mescalina: Anziehend und formvollendet, Astadamors guckt in die Sterne, Mescalina beschwört die Venus.5:54
- 10.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Bild 2. Heftiger Auftritt Nekrotzars auf Piet reitend, Erscheinung der Venus und gewaltsame Liebesszene zwischen Nekrotzar und Mescalina: Wer da? - Ein Mann!6:13
- 11.Le Grand Macabre: Akt I. Bild 2. Finale - Nekrotzar: Feuer und Feuersnot! Terzett Piet - Netkotzar - Astradamors.3:45
- 12.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Vorspiel zum 3. Bild1:06
- 13.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 3. Unterhaltung der zwei Minister untereinander und mit dem Fürsten Go-Go5:52
- 14.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 3. Erste Arie des Chefs der Geheimen Politischen Polizei (Gepopo): Psssst!4:04
- 15.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 3. Die zwei Minister sprechen zum Volk: Gestatten, bin der Dienstälteste! Das Volk ruft Fürst Go-Go, dieser verprügelt die Minister.3:06
- 16.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 3. Zweite Arie des Chefs der Gepopo: Geheimmeldung! Die Minister verdrücken sich.3:33
- 17.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 3. Fürst Go-Go: Und endlich allein! Dritte Arie des Chefs der Gepopo: Kukuriku! Astradamors Ankunft, das Volk fleht um Hilfe4:40
- 18.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 3. Collage: Grandioser Einzug Nekrotzars samt höllischem Gefolge.4:51
- 19.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 3. Nekrotzars Drohungen: Wehe! Denn es ist gekommen der große Tag des Zorns! Astradamors und Piet essen und trinken genüsslich: Es ist noch nicht so weit,…4:46
- 20.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 3. Trinkszene. Piet und Astradamors: Der Nekro ist kein Zarr!, Nekrotzar: Zur Arbeit, auf!1:11
- 21.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 3. Fortsetzung der Trinkszene: Ex! - Trink! Nekrotzar bildet sich ein, er tränke Blut: Bluut schmeckt guut! Galimathias: Nekrotzars Erzählung. Ich hab zuviel getötet. Fürst Go-Gos Wiedererscheinen.8:28
- 22.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 3 und Beginn des Bildes 4. Mitternachtszene: Das Ende der Welt. Nekrotzar: Wo? W…wo ist meine Sense? Zwischenspiel zwischen Bild 3 und Bild 4. Piet und Astradamors wähnen sich im Himmel: Geist Astradamors! Bist du tot? Auftritt Go-Go und der drei Haudegen: Ja, wir sind Soldeute,…13:05
- 23.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 4. Wiedererscheinen Nekrotzars: Hach! Ihr seid am Leben, Fürst?1:02
- 24.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 4. Überraschendes Erscheinen Mescalinas aus dem Grab: Aschtarot! Gewaltszenen, die Ankunft der Minister, später von Piet und Astradamors: Wir haben Durst, ergo wir leben…2:18
- 25.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 4. Spiegelkanon: Nekrotzars allmähliches Verschwinden im Nichts. Grabreden Piets und Astradamors.4:06
- 26.Le Grand Macabre: Akt II. Bild 4. Finale: Passacaglia. Amando und Amanda: Ach es war gut im dunklen Grab… Schlußchoral: Fürchtet den Tod nicht, gute Leut!6:33
Lux æterna1990
- 1.Lux æterna7:53
- 2.3 Fantaisies d'après Friedrich Hölderlin: I. Hälfte des Lebens3:36
- 3.3 Fantaisies d'après Friedrich Hölderlin: II. Wenn aus der Ferne5:48
- 4.3 Fantaisies d'après Friedrich Hölderlin: III. Abendphantasie3:22
- 5.Magány3:03
- 6.Pápainé3:58
- 7.Éjszaka2:45
- 8.Reggel1:23
- 9.Études Hongroises: I. Canon-miroir1:51
- 10.Études Hongroises: II. Étude1:35
- 11.Études Hongroises: III. Vásár2:25
- 12.3 Chants du folklore Hongrois: Bujdosó2:08
- 13.3 Chants du folklore Hongrois: Kállai kettós2:55
- 14.3 Chants du folklore Hongrois: Lakodalmas1:14
- 15.Màtraszentimrei dalok: Három hordo1:21
- 16.Màtraszentimrei dalok: Igaz szerelem1:01
- 17.Màtraszentimrei dalok: Gomb, gomb1:53
- 18.Màtraszentimrei dalok: Erdöbe, erdöbe1:07
- 19.Pletykazo asszonyok1:45
- 20.Haj, ifjuság!3:03
Melodien / Double Concerto / Chamber Concerto1990
- 1.Melodien13:03
- 2.Double Concerto: I. Calmo, con tenerezza9:09
- 3.Double Concerto: II. Allegro corrente7:49
- 4.Chamber Concerto: I. Corrente5:25
- 5.Chamber Concerto: II. Calmo, sostenuto6:09
- 6.Chamber Concerto: III. Movimento preciso e meccanico3:45
- 7.Chamber Concerto: IV. Presto3:46
- 8.10 Pieces for Wind Quintet13:01
The Exuberant Harpsichord1989
- 1.Hungarian Rock4:57
- 2.Pavana4:31
- 3.Galiarda2:12
- 4.Passacaglia ungherese4:58
- 5.Continuum3:43
- 6.L'Enharmonique4:31
- 7.Energien4:17
- 8.Minos’8:38
- 9.YTA IIb5:28
- 10.Zimbal7:27
- 11.Korwar14:50
Kammerkonzert / Ramifications / Lux aeterna / Atmosphères1988
Tracklist not collected yet.
Streichquartett Nr. 1 / Streichquartett Nr. 21988
Tracklist not collected yet.
Double Concerto for Flute & Oboe / San Francisco Polyphony / String Quartet no. 1 / Continuum / Musica ricercata1987
Tracklist not collected yet.
Études pour piano / Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus1987
Tracklist not collected yet.
Ligeti: Études pour piano, premier livre / Messiaen: Vingt regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus (sélection)1987
Tracklist not collected yet.
Requiem / Aventures / Nouvelles Aventures1985
Tracklist not collected yet.
Chamber Concerto - Ramifications - Aventures - Nouvelles aventures1983
Tracklist not collected yet.
II. Streichquartett / String Quartet / III. Streichquartett1970
Tracklist not collected yet.
Requiem / Lontano / Continuum1969
Tracklist not collected yet.
Bedford: Two Poems for Chorus / Ligeti: Lux aeterna / Mellnäs: Succsim / Kopelent: Matka1968
Tracklist not collected yet.
Kagel: Phantasie für Orgel mit Obbligati / Allende-Blin: Sonorités / Ligeti: Volumina / Étude Nr. 1 (»Harmonies«)1968
Tracklist not collected yet.
György Ligeti – Chorwek (Arranged for Guitar) (2015)2018
Tracklist not collected yet.
Schubert, Vacchi, Ligeti - Quartetti Per Archi2004
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Deutsche Grammophon
Achievements
- Award
- Kossuth Prize
- Award
- Ring of Honour of the City of Vienna
- Award
- Bach Prize of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
- Award
- Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts order
- Award
- Theodor W. Adorno Award
- Award
- Balzan Prize
- Award
- Praemium Imperiale
- Award
- Léonie Sonning Music Prize
- Award
- Rolf Schock Prize in Musical Arts
- Award
- Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal
- Award
- Berliner Kunstpreis
- Award
- Grawemeyer Awards
- Award
- Goethe Medal
- Award
- Wihuri Sibelius Prize
- Award
- City of Vienna Prize for Music
- Award
- Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy
- Award
- Ernst von Siemens Music Prize
- Award
- Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
- Award
- Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition
- Award
- Austrian Decoration for Science and Art
- Award
- Frankfurter Musikpreis
- Award
- Pour le Mérite
- Award
- Medaille für Kunst und Wissenschaft (Hamburg)
- Award
- honorary citizen of Budapest
- Award
- Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards
- Award
- Honorary Member of the International Society for Contemporary Music
- Award
- Royal Philharmonic Society Award (Chamber-Scale Composition)
- Award
- Honorary Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society
- Award
- Maurice Ravel Prize
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Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Gyogy Ligeti, Gyorgi Ligeti, Gyorgy Ligeti, Ligeti, Ligeti György Sándor, Ligeti, György
György Sándor Ligeti was a Hungarian composer of contemporary classical music. He has been described as "one of the most important avant-garde composers in the latter half of the twentieth century" and "one of the most innovative and influential among progressive figures of his time".
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Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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