In the wake of a world fractured by conflict and fight, György Ligeti’s First String Quartet stands as a touching testament to the power of music to resolve differences and promote dialogue. Composed in 1956, just a decade after the end of the Second World War, Ligeti’s work reflects the agitation and changing scenes of a society struggling to rebuild itself out of the ashes. An eclectic range of influences across centuries and continents, this project aims to explore the theme of “Music as an Intercultural Dialogue” through the lens of Ligeti’s masterpiece.

MUSIC PROGRAM

Gregorian Chant: The quartet sings in the style of a mediaeval chant using the
material of Ligeti’s composition and demonstrating the roots of Western musical
tradition.

Viennese Waltz: Comparison between Strauss famous Waltz “Frühlingsstimmen” and
Ligeti’s Valse, evoking the elegance and refinement of the 19th Century in Vienna.

Stravinsky: Excerpts from “The Rite of Spring”, showcasing Stravinsky’s innovative
approach to rhythm and harmony, factors that play an important role in Ligeti’s
Quartet as well.

Impressionism: Music by Maurice Ravel, characterised by exuberant harmonies and
evocative images.

Jazz: Selections from the jazz canon highlights, the improvisational spirit and the
rhythmic vitality of the genre. The quartet plays an improvisation on Ligeti’s material
in a jazzy style.

Industrial Era (Modern Times): Sounds of mechanism and noises of the modern society
of the time (mechanics, metronomes, clocks, factory noises, etc.)