Country : Hungary Label : Harmonia Mundi Genres and styles : Contemporary Year : 2025

Isabelle Faust/Les Siècles; François-Xavier Roth – Ligeti : Concertos

· by Frédéric Cardin

Gyorgi Ligeti’s erudite eclecticism has long earned him the stature of iconoclast, original or maverick of contemporary music. He disliked isms in music, i.e. stylistic schools that were vectors of rigid dogma. He preferred to use everything that could expressively and satisfactorily nourish his discourse, be it strict avant-garde techniques, folklore or non-European popular and learned music. He might have resented it, but his vision has become the norm in these days of triumphant post-modernism (another ism, you see…).

This masterfully performed and recorded album bears witness to the richness and complexity of the Ligetian “language” from the very beginning of its existence. Like the rediscovery of the Concerto Românesc, an early work in the form of a tribute to the popular styles of his native Hungary. A distant cousin of Schnittke’s Suite in Old Style or Bartok’s folkloristic explorations.

But the real masterpieces here are the Violin and Piano Concertos. The Concerto for violin is in five movements and is a remarkable synthesis of the history of music. Strong symbols serve as anchor points to illustrate the musical periods evoked (e.g. the flute and ocarinas for the Baroque, cross-hatched rhythms for medieval hiccups, etc.). But Ligeti uses them with exhilarating creative ferocity. The destabilising contrast between the microtonal chords of the ocarinas/flute and the agitated accents of the strings is unforgettable. Faust is imperial in her mastery of the discourse, the technical pitfalls and the expressivity necessary for the radiance of this brilliant monument to modern music. And what can we say about François-Xavier Roth’s orchestra? A marvel of sound construction and infinitesimal nuances of colour and dynamics.

In the Piano Concerto, the rustic inflections come pleasantly to life under the fingers of Jean-Frédéric Neuburger. Roth adds his dose of sonic spice, very well executed by Les Siècles in a crystal-clear recording. A little marvel of textural sparkle and quiver in every section.

An excellent introductory album to Ligeti’s universe, with first-rate performers.

Latest 360 Content

Lifeguard – Ripped and Torn

Lifeguard – Ripped and Torn

Brainwasher – At Least It Beats an Actor

Brainwasher – At Least It Beats an Actor

Nicholas Daniel – Complete Works for Oboe by Madeleine Dring

Nicholas Daniel – Complete Works for Oboe by Madeleine Dring

Christine Tassan; Marie-Véronique Bourque – Bruissement boréal

Christine Tassan; Marie-Véronique Bourque – Bruissement boréal

Lanaudière Festival | Metropolitan Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin/Marc-André Hamelin: When Nature Drives the Concert

Lanaudière Festival | Metropolitan Orchestra/Yannick Nézet-Séguin/Marc-André Hamelin: When Nature Drives the Concert

Festival de Lanaudière | Sol Gabetta : Queen of the cello meets les Violons du Roy

Festival de Lanaudière | Sol Gabetta : Queen of the cello meets les Violons du Roy

Friday night at the Dômesicle – All night long with Jump Source

Friday night at the Dômesicle – All night long with Jump Source

Éli Doyon et la Tempête – Attraper le ciel avant qu’il tombe

Éli Doyon et la Tempête – Attraper le ciel avant qu’il tombe

Barbara Hannigan; Katia et Marielle Labèque – Electric Fields

Barbara Hannigan; Katia et Marielle Labèque – Electric Fields

Fire, Fungi, and Family Fun: The ShazamFest XX Experience

Fire, Fungi, and Family Fun: The ShazamFest XX Experience

Festival de Lanaudière | Kent Nagano: The eternal, and always welcome, return

Festival de Lanaudière | Kent Nagano: The eternal, and always welcome, return

Tyler, the Creator – DON’T TAP THE GLASS

Tyler, the Creator – DON’T TAP THE GLASS

Off Piknic with Gorgon City, Dennis Ferrer, Riordan, and Linska

Off Piknic with Gorgon City, Dennis Ferrer, Riordan, and Linska

Jeff Bridges – Slow Magic, 1977-1978

Jeff Bridges – Slow Magic, 1977-1978

Piknic Electronik | DJ Fuckoff Turns Up The Heat for Pep Rally

Piknic Electronik | DJ Fuckoff Turns Up The Heat for Pep Rally

Orford 2025 | Collectif9: folk that innovates and grooves

Orford 2025 | Collectif9: folk that innovates and grooves

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | The next global star of Tuareg blues is born, and it is in Montreal

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | The next global star of Tuareg blues is born, and it is in Montreal

Ruby Creek – Forget Me Not

Ruby Creek – Forget Me Not

Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

Ross Lee Finney : Landscapes Remembered

Ross Lee Finney : Landscapes Remembered

Lanaudière Festival | The Sparkle of Strauss, Schumann, and Brahms in Joliette

Lanaudière Festival | The Sparkle of Strauss, Schumann, and Brahms in Joliette

Wet Leg – moisturizer

Wet Leg – moisturizer

Sister Ray – Believer

Sister Ray – Believer

Festival de Lanaudière | Franco Fagioli and the voice of bel canto

Festival de Lanaudière | Franco Fagioli and the voice of bel canto

Subscribe to our newsletter