György Kurtág

Hungarian composer (born 1926) known for concise, fragmentary pieces and a relatively small but influential output spanning chamber, piano and vocal works.

Kurtág is noted for short, aphoristic forms and rigorous revision; the review cites a close artistic affinity with Luigi Nono and mentions a corpus of about forty works. He has collaborated with pianist Márta Kurtág (publicly known).

GiovanniA reviews Kurtág's Complete Choral Works, noting that the CD contains only three pieces but showcases the composer's intense, fragmentary style. The review highlights Homage to Luigi Nono, Eight Choruses on Poems by Dezsö Tandori, and Songs of Despair and Sorrow. Overall the reception in this review is admiring of Kurtág's rigor and expressive economy.

For:Listeners of contemporary classical music, choir directors and singers, chamber music enthusiasts, music students and scholars