Composer

:

György Kurtág

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

1933

Average_duration

:

2:01

'Levél Ligeti Verának' or 'Letter to Vera Ligeti' is a composition for soprano and piano by Hungarian composer György Kurtág. The piece was composed in 1982 and premiered on June 6, 1982, in Budapest, Hungary. The composition consists of three movements, each of which is based on a letter written by Kurtág to his friend and fellow composer, György Ligeti's wife, Vera Ligeti. The letters were written during the summer of 1981, while Kurtág was on vacation in Italy. The letters were not intended to be musical compositions, but Kurtág was inspired by the language and emotions expressed in the letters and decided to set them to music. The first movement, 'Az ég felé' (Towards the Sky), is based on a letter in which Kurtág describes the beauty of the Italian landscape and his feelings of awe and wonder. The music is characterized by soaring vocal lines and a sense of expansiveness and grandeur. The second movement, 'A tengerhez' (To the Sea), is based on a letter in which Kurtág reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The music is characterized by a sense of melancholy and introspection, with the piano providing a gentle, undulating accompaniment to the soprano's plaintive melody. The third and final movement, 'A fákhoz' (To the Trees), is based on a letter in which Kurtág expresses his love for nature and his desire to be surrounded by trees. The music is characterized by a sense of playfulness and whimsy, with the soprano's voice darting and weaving around the piano's sprightly accompaniment. Overall, 'Levél Ligeti Verának' is a deeply personal and emotionally charged work that showcases Kurtág's mastery of vocal and piano writing. The piece is notable for its use of fragmented melodies, dissonant harmonies, and unconventional vocal techniques, which combine to create a haunting and otherworldly atmosphere.

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