Composer

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György Kurtág

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

Average_duration

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0:37

Hommage à D.S. is a composition for solo piano by Hungarian composer György Kurtág. It was composed in 2013 and premiered on October 25, 2014, at the Wigmore Hall in London by pianist Tamara Stefanovich. The piece is divided into six movements, each of which pays tribute to a different composer or musician who has influenced Kurtág's work. The first movement, "In memoriam Tibor Serly," is a tribute to the Hungarian composer and violist who was a close friend and collaborator of Kurtág's. The second movement, "In memoriam Andor Losonczy," is dedicated to the Hungarian pianist and composer who was a mentor to Kurtág. The third movement, "In memoriam László Vidovszky," is a tribute to the Hungarian composer who was a colleague and friend of Kurtág's. The fourth movement, "In memoriam György Ligeti," is dedicated to the Hungarian composer who was a close friend and collaborator of Kurtág's. The fifth movement, "In memoriam Ferenc Farkas," is a tribute to the Hungarian composer who was a mentor to Kurtág. The final movement, "In memoriam István Lang," is dedicated to the Hungarian composer and conductor who was a colleague and friend of Kurtág's. The characteristics of Hommage à D.S. are typical of Kurtág's style, which is characterized by its brevity, intensity, and fragmentation. The piece is composed of short, often disconnected fragments that are strung together to create a larger whole. The movements are also characterized by their extreme dynamic contrasts, with sudden shifts from loud to soft and back again. The piece is also notable for its use of silence, with pauses and rests playing an important role in the overall structure of the work. Overall, Hommage à D.S. is a deeply personal and emotional work that pays tribute to some of the most important figures in Kurtág's life and career. Through its fragmented structure and intense emotional content, the piece reflects Kurtág's unique musical voice and his ongoing exploration of the limits of expression in music.

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