Gyorgy Ligeti, one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, died today.
This is one of my favorite CDs for introducing people to his music. I was lucky enough to hear a performance of the Violin Concerto with Laura Park and the Brooklyn Philharmonic in the late 90s.
[image from the Schott website]
Bill Gusky
I like his chamber music, but for me the strongest and most idiosyncratic stuff was his choral pieces, especially as heard on the "2001: A Space Odyssey" soundtrack.
A piece called "Lux Aeterna" I think, choral and orchestra: if you listen closely, as timpanis roll in you can a few times hear the clack of the drummer's 'stick' on the rim of the timpani. Almost certainly accidental, yet somehow perfect.
Really an amazing composer. Breathtaking freedom, no taint I've ever detected of pop or nationalist inclination. Truly a free mind.