CCCXLIII. LIGETI, György: Cello Concerto

CCCXLIII. LIGETI, György (1923-2006)

Cello Concerto (1966)
1. 1/4-note = 40 -- attacca
2. (Lo stesso tempo) 1/4-note = 40
Alexis Descharmes, cello
Ensemble C barré
Sébastien Boin, cond.
(19:19)

Sometimes described as an "anti-concerto" because the soloist isn't pitted against (or with) the orchestra in any kind of showy, or flashy performance ... in fact, Ligeti is purely concerned with a static sonic spectrum and uses the few orchestral instruments to enhance what the cello does in time and space ...

The initial dynamic indication for the cello is pppppppp. In Italian, pianissisisisisisisisimo ...

Ligeti:

"The slow first movement belongs to the Atmosphères [see Post CLV] type, its form is static, continuous and without rhythm. The contrasting second movement is dynamic, abrupt, at times hectic, and is related to Aventures [see Post CL]. The musical language is chromatic but not dedecaphonic."