Composition database

This is the Composition Database of BMC, which includes information about works by composers that are either Hungarian or Hungarian by origin or live in Hungary.

Search
New search
Title of the work

Konzert / Concerto

Composer
Ligeti György
Original / Hungarian title
Hegedűverseny
Foreign language / English title
Konzert / Concerto
Subtitle
Für Violine und Orchester / For violin and orchestra
Dedication
to Saschko Gawriloff
Year of composition
1990
Type
Concerto
Number of players
23
Instrumentation
vl. solo - 2 fl. (I anche fl.a. / rec.s., II anche picc.), ob. (anche sopran ocarina in do), 2 cl. (I anche cl. in mi b / sopranino ocarina in alto fa, II anche cl.b. / alt ocarina in basso so), fg. (anche sopran ocarina in do) - 2 cor., tr., trb. - perc. (2 esec. - 3 timp., tam-tam, 2 wood bl., tambourine, tmb.picc., gr.c., crot., camp., gong, frusta, campli., vibr., marimba, xil., flauto a culisse [slide whistle]) - strings: 4 vl. (1 con scordatura), 3 vla. (1 con scordatura), 2 vlc., cb.
Duration
28 min
Movements, parts
1. Praeludium: Vivacissimo luminoso
2. Aria, Hoquetus, Choral: Andante con moto
3. Intermezzo: Presto
4. Passacaglia: Lento intenso
5. Apassionato: Agitato molto
Commissioned by
Saschko Gawriloff, WDR, Cologne
Premiere information
3 November 1990, Köln, Germany; Saschko Gawriloff (vl.), Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester, Gary Bertini (cond.) (Premiere of the original version)

8 October, 1992, Köln, Germany; Saschko Gawriloff (vl.), Ensemble Modern, Peter Eötvös (cond.) (Premiere of the new version)
Publisher / Source
Schott, ED 9170 (study score) (performance material on hire)

Schott Music GmbH © 2015, VLB 173 (piano reduction with solo part)
Available here!
Recordings
Deutsche Grammophon CD 00289 477 6447, 2006 - Saschko Gawriloff (vl.), Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez (cond.)
Naive CD V 5285, 2012 - Patricia Kopatchinskaja (vl.), Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra; Péter Eötvös (cond.)
1 min. sample
1 1. Praeludium: Vivacissimo luminoso
2 2. Aria, Hoquetus, Choral
3 3. Intermezzo: Presto
4 4. Passacaglia: Lento intenso
5 5. Apassionato: Agitato molto
Remarks, other info
Composed: 1990, revised: 1992

Ligeti´s violin concerto, in its final form, is in five movements. As if each of the movements were not astonishing enough for the breadth of ideas as it is, the finale layers them all on top of each other. The shimmering harmonics, the slow-moving, soaring melodies, the rhythmic complexities combine to raise the level of excitement. After a brief episode of the Hungarian folksong, the music reaches a dramatic, multiple-forte climax before the violin launches into the final cadenza which is the most dramatic moment of the work. The concerto ends almost immediately, as if cut off in the middle.
 

Recordings

Title Publisher
Teldec
Deutsche Grammophon
Ligeti, György: Concerto for Violin; Per Norgĺrd: Helle Nacht; The Secret Melody Chandos
Deutsche Grammophon
Gramophone
naive