Sun 12.2.2017 at 14:00
Music House, Paavo Hall
Clement Power, conductor
In the closing concert of Musica Nova, György Ligeti’s influence will be heard in the compositions of his most important pupils and his son. Avant will be conducted by British conductor Clement Power.
Lukas Ligeti’s “Curtain” brings together the legacy of European modernism and African rhythms. Inspired by the visual arts, the work explores the “painting on” and erasing of material over a melodic and harmonious ground in a manner reminiscent of animation artist William Kentdrige. A string quartet serves as the canvas on which Ligeti paints, creating a tension between the sounds of the quartet and those of the larger ensemble.
The final part of Unsuk Chin’s “cosmigimmicks”, Thall, is a tribute to György Ligeti. The title of the piece means “mask” in Korean. The centre of the piece, which is a musical pantomime, is a guitar playing a pseudo-melody of a few repetitive microtones. “The “melody” is transformed by the harmonies of the other instruments like the expression on the mime’s face.
Ligeti’s other important pupil, Benedict Mason, also bows to his mentor. “Hinterstoissener traverse” uses only one key, G. The extremely minimalist approach allows for a close examination of rhythm and dynamics.
The concert is part of the Musica Nova Helsinki festival. The festival is the largest contemporary music event in Finland, with conductor André de Ridder as artistic director in 2017.
PROGRAMME:
Benedict Mason: Hinterstoissener traverse (1986)
Unsuk Chin: cosmigimmicks (2012)
1. Shadow Play
2. Quad
3. Thall
Lukas Ligeti: Curtain (2015)
Concert duration 1h.
Tickets including delivery 28,00 / 17,50 www.ticketmaster.fi or 25 / 15 € at the Musiikkitalo ticket office.
