Portrait Series György Ligeti

The Wiener Konzerthaus is dedicating a comprehensive portrait series to its honorary member György Ligeti on the occasion of his 100th birthday, made possible by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation. The programme of the series provides a representative cross-section of Ligeti’s entire oeuvre: the composer is honoured with a multi-faceted selection of his key works across the various genres. The multi-award-winning composer was characterised above all by his passion for novelty, and he described himself as “universalist”, both of which are reflected in his distinctive oeuvre, which is a highly representative and multi-layered example of musical modernism.

The portrait series is closely interwoven with the seasonal programme of the Wiener Konzerthaus and, in keeping with the musical diversity, is part of different cycles. Works familiar to the public such as the opulently scored soundscape composition Atmosphères can be experienced as well as the Mysteries of the Macabre, which will be performed for the first time at the Wiener Konzerthaus, or the eleven-part Musica Ricercata and the highly virtuosic mimodrams Aventures / Nouvelles Aventures, characterised by the imaginary nonsense language. The programme also includes solo concertos such as the one for piano and orchestra, which celebrated its premiere in the Vienna Konzerthaus in 1988, as well as chamber music.

The portrait takes musical account of Ligeti’s varied means of expression and the plurality of questions and interests that characterise the composer and his work and focuses on the fascinating sensual accessibility of his music.

Further information:
konzerthaus.at

Dates

November 3, 2022, January 13, March 24, June 1 and 12, 2023
Wiener Konzerthaus, Mozart Hall

January 28, April 14, 15, 16 and 26, May 28 and 29, June 15 and 16, 2023
Wiener Konzerthaus, Great Hall

April 21 and May 30, 2023
Wiener Konzerthaus, Berio Hall

June 5, 2023
Wiener Konzerthaus, Schubert Hall