Comments
Didn’t I post that before?
If you did, I don’t recall having seen it. While unsurprised, I’m a bit sad no one else responded, though. I think the goal is to spark conversation about what, if any, value it has or what he had to say. I think the most obvious interpretation would be a life cycle or some sort. It’s kind of poignant watching that last metronome wind down. But then it’s pretty aesthetically cool to look at. It certainly was no accident how they were arranged and staggered.
In truth, I’m still not sure it had any real value. I was expecting something interesting polyrhythms or phrase cycling or something. But I thought maybe one of you would have something interesting to say about why it does or doesn’t.
It’s important to note, I think, the Ligeti is no slouch. The dude wrote a bunch of the soundtrack for Space Odyssey 2001 and a whole bunch of really brilliant and amazing piano pieces. So that a dude who is so obviously talented and musical would create this gives me pause. Maybe I’m missing something. Who am I to tell the great Ligeti what is and is not worthwhile?
If you’re curious about his actual music, look for The Devil’s Stairway or Staircase on youtube. Or anything from the 2001 soundtrack.
I didn’t like it. I was looking forward to something more structured where you could notice multiple beats going on at the same time. But it just went from a big mess of clicks to a few clicks to one click.
It’s funny. You think too much.
I guess it could be about the relativity of time. Before electronic metronomes, that’s all they had and you just assume it’s accurate.