Harmonic gradations in the third movement of the String Quartet n. 2 by György Ligeti

the reevaluated concept of micropolyphony

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35699/2317-6377.2022.37400

Keywords:

György Ligeti, String Quartet, Gradation, Micropolyphony

Abstract

From Lacrimosa (Requiem) Ligeti modifies his language as he gradually leaves the cluster's harmony. He starts inserting holes in the texture and using a smaller number of instruments. This attitude implies a reassessment of the micropolyphony technique (used in his previous sound mass works) and an adaptation of this texture to the new context. For perception, the consequences of these changes are evident; this makes it possible to hear many details of the sound that were submerged in the sound fabrics of works such as Apparitions, Atmosphères, and Requiem. Our analysis shows how this process takes place in the third movement of his String Quartet No 2. We base our study on the idea that the concept of gradation serves as a central element in the construction of music.

Author Biography

  • Claudio Vitale, State University of Paraná, Brazil

    He is a Professor of Harmony, Counterpoint, and Musical Morphology and has a degree in Composition from the Faculty of Fine Arts (FBA) of the National University of La Plata (UNLP), Argentina. He has a Master's degree in Music (CAPES scholarship) and a Doctorate in Music (CAPES and FAPESP scholarship) from the School of Communications and Arts (ECA) of the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil. He completed several Post-Doctorates: 1) at the Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP) of the University of São Paulo (USP); 2) at the Laboratory of Excellence GREAM (Experimental Research Group on the Creative Musical Act (LABEX GREAM), at the University of Strasbourg (CAPES Grant, Science Without Borders Program of Brazil); 3) at the School of Communications and Arts (ECA) of the University of São Paulo (USP), CAPES-PNPD Scholarship. He was a Professor at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPEL). He is currently a Professor at the School of Music and Fine Arts of Paraná (EMBAP), belonging to the State University of Paraná (UNESPAR). His main areas of specialization are Theory, Harmony, Counterpoint, Musical Analysis, and Composition.

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Published

2022-09-15

Issue

No. 42 (2022): General Topics

Section

Articles in Portuguese/Spanish

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How to Cite

“Harmonic Gradations in the Third Movement of the String Quartet N. 2 by György Ligeti : The Reevaluated Concept of Micropolyphony”. 2022. Per Musi, no. 42 (September): 1-26. https://doi.org/10.35699/2317-6377.2022.37400.