† György Ligeti
derStandard reports, György Ligety, one of the world’s most popular composers of the present died in Vienna, after a long illness. He was 83. While he was probably best known for Stanley Kubrick’s use of his works (2001: A Space Odyssey
, The Shining
et. al.), he had much more to show than that.
I do not have any facts to add to the article linked above. However, this is the first time I want to write a little more personal.
He is one of the reasons I got interested in music theory and 20th century classical music. This interest slowly developed into what many people would call love. Ligeti’s pieces have a distinct feel, at times alienating, at other times demanding, but always rewarding.
Despite my general disinterest in meeting people I admire, he was one of the few I hoped to meet. It didn’t even seem unrealistic, knowing someone who knew him personally, yet I never felt ready. He just seemed to me like a wise old man, very friendly, but with high standards that you don’t want to disappoint.
I only wanted to express my gratefulness. I hope it is visible in these unspectacular words.
my recording of his six bagatelles for wind quintet is one of my most treasured possessions. This is a very sad thing.
Whereabouts did he live? Not the exact address, just the district would be good to know. Is there a memorial service, and where will he be buried?
A memorial in the Stadtpark would be a fine thing…
Don’t know. I presume not in the city, but a little bit outside. I can honestly only imagine him somewhere near Grinzing. Although, I don’t know how well he was off financially.
And my feeling is, given the little information on his death, his family would like to keep everything private.
And while a memorial would certainly be great, I doubt that there are many official people in this city (or even country) who’d be thrilled by that idea.
Why not? Are the official people here not proud of Ligeti? Or are they just too conservative to honour an avant-garde composer? The impression of conservatism among officialdom here is not one that I recognise.