This remarkable film made in 1996 follows one of the world’s greatest living composers, György Kurtág, as he travels to Jerusalem share his wisdom in a series of masterclasses with young musicians at the Jerusalem Music Centre. A dedicated teacher, Kurtág helps the students get to the heart of his works, with an emphasis less on instrumental technique than on meticulous interpretation. The masterclass is followed by a concert given by the students, demonstrating the effect of Kurtág’s guidance. A fascinating insight into the composer, his work, and how he inspires musicians of the next generation.
Gyorgy Kurtag: The Matchstick Man
“The structures stripped bare hold up the empty air”. György Kurtág is more than one of the most powerful creative voices in modern Europe. He created a new way of listening; forging a musical language in which silence can be as meaningful as sound and even the smallest gesture opens up new worlds. This award-winning 1996 documentary offers an unrivalled, often profoundly moving glimpse into his creative imagination, including interviews with the composer as well as rare performance and rehearsal footage plus contributions from György Ligeti, Claudio Abbado, pianist Zoltán Kocsis and the composer’s late wife (and artistic collaborator) Márta.
Pierre-Laurent Aimard in Tokyo
“A brilliant musician and an extraordinary visionary” (Wall Street Journal) French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard is widely acclaimed as an authority in music of our time while recognized also for shedding fresh light on music of the past. His international schedule of concerts and recordings is complemented by a career-long commitment to teaching, giving concert lectures and workshops worldwide. In this recital, a special concert for music students given at the Tokyo University of the Arts, the pianist performs works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Schubert and György Kurtág.
Simon Rattle conducts Poulenc, Koechlin, Kurtág and Ravel
What all the works in this concert have in common is an unmistakable French freedom of form and sound, whether in Poulenc’s twelve-part vocal work or the large-scale but always transparent, almost pointillist orchestral compositions. There are no rules to be followed, but rather a freedom of expression that only results from the “uncertainty of the moment”. The critics are delighted: “an arresting evening” (Financal Times) PROGRAM Francis Poulenc: Figure humaine; Charles Koechlin: Les Bandar-log; György Kurtág: Petite Musique solennelle en hommage à Pierre Boulez 90; Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé