Composer

:

György Kurtág

Genre

:

Chamber

Average_duration

:

5:20

György Kurtág's "In Nomine - all'Ongherese" is a composition for string quartet that was composed in 1989. It was premiered on October 22, 1989, in Budapest, Hungary, by the Keller Quartet. The piece is part of Kurtág's larger work, "Signs, Games and Messages," which is a collection of short pieces for various instruments. "In Nomine - all'Ongherese" is a single movement piece that is approximately three minutes in length. The title of the piece refers to the "In Nomine" tradition of English Renaissance music, which was a type of instrumental music that was based on a cantus firmus (a pre-existing melody). Kurtág's piece is not based on a pre-existing melody, but rather on a series of short motifs that are repeated and developed throughout the piece. The piece begins with a series of pizzicato notes that are played by all four instruments. These notes are then repeated and developed, with each instrument taking turns playing the motif. The music is characterized by its sparse texture and use of silence, which creates a sense of tension and anticipation. As the piece progresses, the motifs become more complex and fragmented, with the instruments playing off of each other in a kind of musical conversation. The music becomes more frenzied and intense, with the instruments playing faster and more aggressively. The piece ends with a sudden, abrupt stop, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved tension. Overall, "In Nomine - all'Ongherese" is a highly expressive and emotionally charged piece of music. It showcases Kurtág's unique compositional style, which is characterized by its use of short motifs, sparse textures, and sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo. The piece is a testament to Kurtág's mastery of the string quartet genre and his ability to create powerful and evocative music with just four instruments.

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