Three Favorite Ligeti Orchestral Works

[EigenUser]

You feel about the whip crack in Ligeti's VC like I feel about the timpani roll in the Largo movement of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5. If it's not earth-shattering, then I'm immediately disappointed and nothing that follows will give me the kind of gratification I get from Lenny's Live in Japan performance with the NY Philharmonic.

Haha, I think that everyone has their little "things" or "landmarks" that they listen to for judging recordings. I'm not a huge Shostakovich fan, but what about that drumroll connecting the third and fourth movements of the 1st symphony? It has to start imperceptibly, last for a long time, and crescendo to the threshold of pain!

[Mirror Image]

Haha, I think that everyone has their little "things" or "landmarks" that they listen to for judging recordings. I'm not a huge Shostakovich fan, but what about that drumroll connecting the third and fourth movements of the 1st symphony? It has to start imperceptibly, last for a long time, and crescendo to the threshold of pain!

Don't remember the drum roll, but, then again, I haven't spent too much time with Shostakovich's Symphony No. 1 either, so I suppose I need to re-listen for myself at any rate.

[Ken B]

Don't remember the drum roll, but, then again, I don't spent any time with Shostakovich

FTFY John.

[Mirror Image]

FTFY John.

Haha. This of course isn't true at all as I've plenty of 'Shostakovich phases.' Some have lasted longer than others of course. He's one of my favorite composers after all.

[EigenUser]

Don't remember the drum roll, but, then again, I don't spent any time with Shostakovich

Really? You are missing out. We go bowling every Thursday night!

[Ken B]

Really? You are missing out. We go bowling every Thursday night!

That's what I used to do with Schubert.

[not edward]

Atmosphères, Lontano, Violin Concerto. I've heard Christian Tetzlaff live several times in the latter, doing a fabulous job in the cadenza, mimicking the sound of the ocarinas in the piece.

--Bruce

I wish Tetzlaff had recorded the piece. The live performances I've heard with him have been sensational.

[Fagotterdämmerung]

  I voted for the Chamber Concerto only, not because the others are worse or I don't enjoy them ( I do ), but because that one speaks to me head and shoulders more than the rest of his orchestral output ( though I must admit, I've not listened to the Double Concerto ). There's an intense intimacy to it, a clarity of line that one doesn't always get with Ligeti. There's a version with Mälkki at the helm I keep returning to.

[EigenUser]

  I voted for the Chamber Concerto only, not because the others are worse or I don't enjoy them ( I do ), but because that one speaks to me head and shoulders more than the rest of his orchestral output ( though I must admit, I've not listened to the Double Concerto ). There's an intense intimacy to it, a clarity of line that one doesn't always get with Ligeti. There's a version with Mälkki at the helm I keep returning to.

Interesting. I find Melodien to have a more intimate feel (even though it is scored for a slightly larger ensemble). I love both.

Then, in the similar style, there's always the sprawling (and almost romantic) San Francisco Polyphony -- WHICH, I haven't heard in a long time. Maybe tomorrow I'll give it a listen.