György Ligeti, Hamburg Concerto

The Hamburg Concerto pits an equal-tempered orchestra and solo horn player against a section of "dis-tempered" natural horns (i.e., valveless — the same horns one would find in a Baroque-instrument orchestra). The effect is one of glorious dysfunction that Ligeti amply explores. From 2002

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ligeti
• Hamburg
• Concerto
• Avantgarde
• 20th
• century
• music
• classical
• classics
• composer

[marcmickey]

wow--i dont know this artist but its a lot like zappa--or zappa is a lot like him ???

cool video

marc

[GreggaryPeccary]

Thanks for the comment. I wouldn't necessarily say they are similar, but there are some parallels, like they both use humour in their writing, you're right in that. Of course there are some similar sonorities, since they're both modern composers who know their craft, but you might also find some things in other modern composers like say, Stravinsky or Varèse, that might remind you of something Frank wrote.

[AustinShowen]

Glorious opening! I love Ligeti's cluster chords--so deeply resonant and beautiful.

[saladshootavvv]

This piece always blows my freakin mind! I don't really want to admit it but I think his Horn Concerto might be my favorite Ligeti work.

[knoblauchtv]

It's one of the greatest, most shocking pieces I have ever heard. The sensation you feel at the explosion in 2:03 is without comparison!

[pageturner95]

7:22 EPIC ^_^

[Bagas]

This old fuck is damn unpredictable! From Atmospheres to this? That's some serious ass shit evolution.

[dalethomasdewitt]

Why of course. How did you guess. The bane of my childhood. Tolerating the helicopters and automobiles. As Ravel said in response to the discipline of composition. The delicious pleasure of a useless occupation. I.e, referring to the vast untold music in existence tapped by the measly human intellect. That's why I changed to chemistry.

[GreggaryPeccary]

So what's your point? That we should stop inflicting our will upon the air molecules?

[dalethomasdewitt]

Depends upon what flow one is plumbing. Water for domestic use is a very narrow definition of music if you pardon the use of analogy. An asteroid hitting the planet plumbs plenty of water most expertly. And matter of fact quite naturally. I.e., without Etudes and other Circus devices.

[GreggaryPeccary]

"How can one not know ONE's craft"

I know plenty of bad plummers, you kiddin'?

[dalethomasdewitt]

who know their craft" : How can one not know ONE's craft. What you are really explaining is the two edged sword of conformity to style throughout history. Successful musicians imitate others and then that becomes Their? craft. Maybe. But upon who's planet? Instrumental composition is ego-game and electronic music tries to eliminate that variable to self expression. Either a mammal or human it doesn't matter. Sorry if I take issue with technique