Unlike Pierre Boulez, Hungarian composer György Ligeti (1923-2006) showed little interest in serial techniques. Before fleeing Hungary in 1956, he composed his First String Quartet ‘Métamorphoses nocturnes’ (1954), which in many respects continues the tradition of Bartók’s music.
Almost simultaneously with Ligeti, György Kurtág also composed his First String Quartet (opus 1, 1959), which consists of six short movements. He later considered this work as the ‘exposition of his entire life’s work’. Particularly notable are Aus der Ferne III and V, paying homage and in memoriam to publisher Alfred Schlee. In 1967, Alois Hába’s Sixteenth String Quartet was created, written in a system where the major second is divided into five tones instead of four, as in the quarter-tone system. The harmonies initially take some getting used to but are fascinating.
György Ligeti (1923-2006) – First String Quartet
‘Métamorphoses nocturnes’ (1954)
- Allegro grazioso, 2. Vivace, capriccioso, 3. Adagio mesto, 4. Presto, 5. Prestissimo, 6. Andante tranquillo, 7. Tempo di valse, moderato con eleganza, un poco capriccioso, 8. Subito prestissimo, 9. Allegretto, un poco gioviale, 10. Prestissimo, 11. Ad libitum, senza misura, 12. Lento
Performed by: Artemis Quartet
CD: Warner Classics
György Kurtág (*1926) – First String Quartet, opus 1 (1959)
- Poco agitato, 2. Con moto, 3. Vivacissimo – Lento, 4. Con spirito, 5. Molto ostinato, 6. Adagio
Performed by: Athena String Quartet
CD: NEOS
Alois Hába (1893-1973) – String Quartet no.16, opus 98 (1967)
- Calmo. Andante cantabile, 2. Con affezione. Allegro vivace, 3. Indeciso. Allegro moderato, 4. Duramente. Allegretto / Melodia cantabile, 5. Sognando. Vivacissimo, 6. Con concentrazione. Andante cantabile, 7. Fermamente. Allegro energico, 8. Allegramente. Allegretto.
Performed by: Hába Quartet
CD: NEOS
György Kurtág (*1926) – Aus der Ferne III (1991), for Alfred Schlee’s 90th birthday
Performed by: Athena String Quartet
CD: NEOS
György Kurtág (*1926) – Aus der Ferne V (1999), In memoriam Alfred Schlee
Performed by: Athena String Quartet
CD: NEOS
