Études pour piano, Livre 2

by Gyorgy Ligeti

Composed 1988–1994
Published 1998
Works 8

Eight études for solo piano composed between 1988 and 1994, constituting the central and most technically demanding book of the cycle. The book draws on a wider range of cultural sources than the first: gamelan music (Galamb borong), Central African cross-rhythms, jazz harmony (Arc-en-ciel's influence extended), and the intricate hocketing patterns of the Banda-Linda horn players of the Central African Republic. Vertige (No. 9), widely considered one of the masterpieces of the cycle, creates an illusion of endless descent through widely-separated hands on chromatic scales; Der Zauberlehrling (No. 10) is dedicated to pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard. L'escalier du diable (No. 13) is perhaps the most famous single étude: an insistent, accelerating climb that never reaches the top. The final étude Coloana fără sfârșit (No. 14) takes its title from Constantin Brâncuși's sculpture \"Endless Column.\" Published by Schott Music, 1998. NOTE: Non-public domain. Publisher: Schott Music. Not available on IMSLP.

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