György Ligeti was a Hungarian composer renowned for his avant-garde and experimental music. Born on May 28, 1923, in Budapest, Hungary, he passed away on June 12, 2006. His compositions frequently integrated elements of serialism, aleatoricism, and electronic music, making him a pivotal figure in the evolution of contemporary classical music.
Related Quotes
“I listen to all kinds of music - new music, old music, music of my colleagues, everything.”
“I know already the music I will write. But the words? I have not yet decided.”
“I write bars, for the musicians, because they have to be together.”
“My grandfather was not a musician but he was an artist - a painter, a decorative painter.”
“There is a wonderful Hungarian literature, especially in lyric poetry.”
“In January 1944 I was called up by the Forced Labor Service, but I deserted on October 10, 1944.”
“Then, after the war it was impossible to travel, after so many years of Hitler and Stalin.”
“But I do not want to use Hungarian verses for British people.”
“But if you go from Moscow to Budapest you think you are in Paris.”
“Stravinsky used Mother Goose. He was influenced by Mother Goose, indirectly, but very beautifully”
“Perhaps the better word is emotional yes, I am an emotional man”
“Once, in London, the BBC asked me what was my favorite English book. I said Alice in Wonderland”
“In my piano concerto I developed this polyphony to much higher complexity”
“However, I began composing as soon as I started taking piano lessons.”