Composer

:

György Kurtág

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1973

Average_duration

:

7:08

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

Játékok (Games) is a collection of piano pieces composed by Hungarian composer György Kurtág. The collection was composed over a period of several decades, with the first pieces dating back to the 1970s and the most recent pieces added in the 2000s. The collection is divided into several volumes, each containing a number of short pieces. The first volume of Játékok was premiered in 1973 by pianist Zsuzsa Pertis. The subsequent volumes were premiered over the following decades by various pianists, including Kurtág's wife, Márta Kurtág, and his former student, András Schiff. The pieces in Játékok are characterized by their brevity and their wide range of styles and moods. Some pieces are only a few seconds long, while others are several minutes in length. The collection includes pieces that are playful and whimsical, as well as pieces that are introspective and melancholy. The movements in Játékok are not organized into traditional forms such as sonatas or suites. Instead, the pieces are grouped together thematically or by mood. For example, the first volume includes a section of pieces titled "Homage to Schumann," which are all inspired by the music of Robert Schumann. One of the unique features of Játékok is Kurtág's use of musical quotations and allusions. Throughout the collection, he references a wide range of composers and musical styles, from Bach and Beethoven to jazz and folk music. These references are often subtle and fleeting, adding an extra layer of meaning and depth to the pieces. Overall, Játékok is a highly original and idiosyncratic collection of piano pieces that showcases Kurtág's unique musical voice. Its playful and experimental nature has made it a favorite among contemporary pianists and audiences alike.

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