Ligeti: Kammerkonzert & Other Works

This group of three works by was recorded by in 2016 and was reissued in 2023. Perhaps it suffered on first release because, although are known for their historically oriented recordings of early 20th century repertory, the instruments used here are apparently modern ones; the recording might not have been seen as playing to the performers' strengths. As it happens, these are wonderful performances of , and this is definitely a case of better late than never. In the two small-ensemble wind works, the players beautifully sculpt the shifting textures that are at the heart of 's music. Especially interesting are the somewhat less familiar that open the program. These have a neoclassic surface but a restricted harmonic vocabulary that throws the listener's attention onto the textures and timbres. The work was first performed in 1956 (the invading Soviets suppressed the dissonant finale), and it is right on the edge of 's mature style. Also somewhat transitional are the at the end, little pieces where the structural language of the larger Kammerkonzert are worked out. The performances are very sharp, and the album shows signs of having been a labor of love. Moreover, with the program showing stylistic developments over the first part of 's career, it could also serve ideally as an introduction to this composer. The live engineering from a couple of different venues is top-notch. ~ James Manheim