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Deutsche Grammophon's budget-priced, four-CD collection of all the works by György Ligeti in its catalog has many things to commend it, beginning with the title. Clear or Cloudy is a profoundly astute description of the composer's career, encompassing both the great sound clouds of his micropolyphonic work of the 1960s, such as Atmosphères, Volumina, Lux aeterna, and Lontano, and the crystalline clarity of his early years, demonstrated in Six Bagatelles for wind quintet and his first String Quartet, as well as in his Etudes pour piano and Piano Concerto from his final period.
The performances here are extraordinary, and some are legendary. In Volumina, Gerd Zacher wrings an incredible variety of sonic possibilities from the organ and shapes them into a chilling aural experience. Aventures and Nouvelles Aventures, with singers Jane Manning, Mary Thomas, and William Pearson and the Ensemble InterContemporain, led by Pierre Boulez, are especially assured, and lead the listener on a frightening, comic, cryptic emotional roller coaster ride. The radiant performances of Atmosphères and Lontano by Claudio Abbado and the Vienna Philharmonic make the most of the scores' glistening mysteries.
If this were intended as a survey of Ligeti's career, one could quibble over the omissions -- the Requiem; the Trio for horn, violin, and piano; and the fact that there are only two of the piano etudes -- but given the fact that it is a reissue of everything Deutsche Grammophon happened to have in its archive, it is a remarkably comprehensive and representative collection that offers a broad and detailed view of the composer's output. It's an ideal introduction to Ligeti for anyone coming to his remarkable work for the first time, and it is also expansive and diverse enough to interest those who are already fans. The set contains over five hours of music, and the program booklet includes an insightful essay by Paul Griffiths. Surprisingly, for a collection coming from so many recorded sources, the sound is consistently excellent, with the appropriate ambience and presence for the various works.
© TiVo
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Sonata For Solo Cello (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Matt Haimovitz, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steven Paul, Producer - Andrew Wedman, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wolfgang Mitlehner, Producer, Balance Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Hohn, Editor, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Matt Haimovitz, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dr. Steven Paul, Producer - Andrew Wedman, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wolfgang Mitlehner, Producer, Balance Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Hohn, Editor, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
6 Bagatelles for Wind Quintet (1953, Arr. from Musica ricercata) (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Claudio Abbado, Conductor, MainArtist - Richard Hosford, Clarinet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Douglas Boyd, Oboe, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jacques Zoon, Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christopher Alder, Producer - Sid McLauchlan, Producer, Recording Producer - Matthew Wilkie, Bassoon, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - James Sommerville, Horn, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rainer Maillard, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jürgen Bulgrin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Buecker, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Martin Derner, Editor, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1997 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Claudio Abbado, Conductor, MainArtist - Richard Hosford, Clarinet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Douglas Boyd, Oboe, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jacques Zoon, Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christopher Alder, Producer - Sid McLauchlan, Producer, Recording Producer - Matthew Wilkie, Bassoon, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - James Sommerville, Horn, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rainer Maillard, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jürgen Bulgrin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Buecker, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Martin Derner, Editor, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1997 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Claudio Abbado, Conductor, MainArtist - Richard Hosford, Clarinet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Douglas Boyd, Oboe, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jacques Zoon, Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christopher Alder, Producer - Sid McLauchlan, Producer, Recording Producer - Matthew Wilkie, Bassoon, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - James Sommerville, Horn, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rainer Maillard, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jürgen Bulgrin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Buecker, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Martin Derner, Editor, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1997 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Claudio Abbado, Conductor, MainArtist - Richard Hosford, Clarinet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Douglas Boyd, Oboe, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jacques Zoon, Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christopher Alder, Producer - Sid McLauchlan, Producer, Recording Producer - Matthew Wilkie, Bassoon, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - James Sommerville, Horn, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rainer Maillard, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jürgen Bulgrin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Buecker, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Martin Derner, Editor, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1997 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Claudio Abbado, Conductor, MainArtist - Richard Hosford, Clarinet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Douglas Boyd, Oboe, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jacques Zoon, Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christopher Alder, Producer - Sid McLauchlan, Producer, Recording Producer - Matthew Wilkie, Bassoon, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - James Sommerville, Horn, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rainer Maillard, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jürgen Bulgrin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Buecker, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Martin Derner, Editor, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1997 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Claudio Abbado, Conductor, MainArtist - Richard Hosford, Clarinet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Douglas Boyd, Oboe, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jacques Zoon, Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christopher Alder, Producer - Sid McLauchlan, Producer, Recording Producer - Matthew Wilkie, Bassoon, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - James Sommerville, Horn, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rainer Maillard, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jürgen Bulgrin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Buecker, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Martin Derner, Editor, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1997 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
String Quartet No. 1 (Métamorphoses nocturnes) (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Hagen Quartett, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christian Gansch, Producer, Recording Producer - Gernot von Schultzendorff, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steven Paul, Producer, Executive Producer - Jürgen Bulgrin, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1991 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
10 Pieces for Wind Quintet (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Vienna Wind Soloists, Ensemble, MainArtist - Stanley Goodall, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Beswick, Producer
℗ 1977 Decca Music Group Limited
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Vienna Wind Soloists, Ensemble, MainArtist - Stanley Goodall, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Beswick, Producer
℗ 1977 Decca Music Group Limited
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Vienna Wind Soloists, Ensemble, MainArtist - Stanley Goodall, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Beswick, Producer
℗ 1977 Decca Music Group Limited
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Vienna Wind Soloists, Ensemble, MainArtist - Stanley Goodall, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Beswick, Producer
℗ 1977 Decca Music Group Limited
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Vienna Wind Soloists, Ensemble, MainArtist - Stanley Goodall, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Beswick, Producer
℗ 1977 Decca Music Group Limited
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Vienna Wind Soloists, Ensemble, MainArtist - Stanley Goodall, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Beswick, Producer
℗ 1977 Decca Music Group Limited
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Vienna Wind Soloists, Ensemble, MainArtist - Stanley Goodall, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Beswick, Producer
℗ 1977 Decca Music Group Limited
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Vienna Wind Soloists, Ensemble, MainArtist - Stanley Goodall, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Beswick, Producer
℗ 1977 Decca Music Group Limited
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Vienna Wind Soloists, Ensemble, MainArtist - Stanley Goodall, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Beswick, Producer
℗ 1977 Decca Music Group Limited
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Vienna Wind Soloists, Ensemble, MainArtist - Stanley Goodall, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Beswick, Producer
℗ 1977 Decca Music Group Limited
String Quartet No. 2 (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - LaSalle Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Faust, Producer - Klaus Scheibe, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dr. Manfred Richter, Producer, Associate Producer
℗ 1970 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - LaSalle Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Faust, Producer - Klaus Scheibe, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dr. Manfred Richter, Producer, Associate Producer
℗ 1970 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - LaSalle Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Faust, Producer - Klaus Scheibe, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dr. Manfred Richter, Producer, Associate Producer
℗ 1970 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - LaSalle Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Faust, Producer - Klaus Scheibe, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dr. Manfred Richter, Producer, Associate Producer
℗ 1970 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - LaSalle Quartet, String Quartet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Faust, Producer - Klaus Scheibe, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dr. Manfred Richter, Producer, Associate Producer
℗ 1970 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
DISC 2
Atmosphères (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Wiener Philharmoniker, Orchestra, MainArtist - Claudio Abbado, Conductor, MainArtist - Christopher Alder, Producer, Executive Producer, Recording Producer - Jobst Eberhardt, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Reinhild Schmidt, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Volker Martin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Hans-Rudolf Müller, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gregor Zielinsky, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1990 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Volumina (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Gerd Zacher, Organ, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Faust, Producer, Executive Producer - Klaus Scheibe, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Hansjoachim Reiser, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Dr. Manfred Richter, Producer, Recording Producer
℗ 1968 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Helmut Franz, Conductor, Chorus Master, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - NDR Chor, Choir, MainArtist - Gernot Westhaeuser, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Hans-Peter Schweigmann, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Karl Faust, Producer - Dr. Manfred Richter, Producer, Recording Producer
℗ 1969 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Organ Study no.1 'Harmonies' (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Gerd Zacher, Organ, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Faust, Producer, Executive Producer - Klaus Scheibe, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Hansjoachim Reiser, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Dr. Manfred Richter, Producer, Recording Producer
℗ 1968 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Lontano (1967) (for large orchestra) (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Wiener Philharmoniker, Orchestra, MainArtist - Claudio Abbado, Conductor, MainArtist - Christopher Alder, Producer, Executive Producer, Recording Producer - Jobst Eberhardt, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Reinhild Schmidt, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Volker Martin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Hans-Rudolf Müller, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gregor Zielinsky, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1990 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Ramifications for string orchestra or 12 solo strings (1968-69) (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Didier Arditi, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ensemble InterContemporain, Ensemble, MainArtist - Dr. Rudolf Werner, Producer - Daniel Haguin, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1983 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Melodien for Orchestra (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - James Mallinson, Producer - Simon Eadon, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - London Sinfonietta, Ensemble, MainArtist - David Atherton, Conductor, MainArtist
℗ 1976 Decca Music Group Limited
DISC 3
Aventures for 3 singers and 7 instrumentalists (1962) (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Didier Arditi, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ensemble InterContemporain, Ensemble, MainArtist - Mary Thomas, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jane Manning, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Pearson, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Dr. Rudolf Werner, Producer, Recording Producer - Daniel Haguin, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1983 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Nouvelles Aventures for 3 Singers and 7 Instrumentalists (György Ligeti)
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Didier Arditi, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ensemble InterContemporain, Ensemble, MainArtist - Mary Thomas, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jane Manning, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Pearson, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Dr. Rudolf Werner, Producer, Recording Producer - Daniel Haguin, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1983 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gyorgy Ligeti, Composer - Pierre Boulez, Conductor, MainArtist - Didier Arditi, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ensemble InterContemporain, Ensemble, MainArtist - Mary Thomas, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jane Manning, Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Pearson, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Dr. Rudolf Werner, Producer, Recording Producer - Daniel Haguin, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1983 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Album review
Deutsche Grammophon's budget-priced, four-CD collection of all the works by György Ligeti in its catalog has many things to commend it, beginning with the title. Clear or Cloudy is a profoundly astute description of the composer's career, encompassing both the great sound clouds of his micropolyphonic work of the 1960s, such as Atmosphères, Volumina, Lux aeterna, and Lontano, and the crystalline clarity of his early years, demonstrated in Six Bagatelles for wind quintet and his first String Quartet, as well as in his Etudes pour piano and Piano Concerto from his final period.
The performances here are extraordinary, and some are legendary. In Volumina, Gerd Zacher wrings an incredible variety of sonic possibilities from the organ and shapes them into a chilling aural experience. Aventures and Nouvelles Aventures, with singers Jane Manning, Mary Thomas, and William Pearson and the Ensemble InterContemporain, led by Pierre Boulez, are especially assured, and lead the listener on a frightening, comic, cryptic emotional roller coaster ride. The radiant performances of Atmosphères and Lontano by Claudio Abbado and the Vienna Philharmonic make the most of the scores' glistening mysteries.
If this were intended as a survey of Ligeti's career, one could quibble over the omissions -- the Requiem; the Trio for horn, violin, and piano; and the fact that there are only two of the piano etudes -- but given the fact that it is a reissue of everything Deutsche Grammophon happened to have in its archive, it is a remarkably comprehensive and representative collection that offers a broad and detailed view of the composer's output. It's an ideal introduction to Ligeti for anyone coming to his remarkable work for the first time, and it is also expansive and diverse enough to interest those who are already fans. The set contains over five hours of music, and the program booklet includes an insightful essay by Paul Griffiths. Surprisingly, for a collection coming from so many recorded sources, the sound is consistently excellent, with the appropriate ambience and presence for the various works.
© TiVo
About the album
- 4 disc(s) - 75 track(s)
- Total length: 05:06:44
- Main artist: Various Artists
- Composer: György Ligeti
- Label: Deutsche Grammophon (DG)
- Genre: Classical
© 2006 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin This Compilation ℗ 2006 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
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