
György Ligeti's "Volumina" revolutionized playing on the queen of instruments. The differently constituted sound spaces without rhythm, melody or harmony, which "evoke a sensation of great calm," as the composer wrote, challenge the organ's technique to its performance limits. Markus Uhl complements Ligeti's powerful clusters with the sublime counterpoint of Johann Sebastian Bach at Passion time.
The concert is part of the focus points "Ligeti 100", "Trans- and Intercultural Programme" and "Visionaries".
Concert without intermission
Duration approx. 1 hour
Markus Uhl
Organ
Johann Sebastian Bach
Prelude in B minor BWV 544/1
György Ligeti
Étude 1: Harmonies
Johann Sebastian Bach
Fugue B minor BWV 544/2
"O Lamb of God, Innocent" Canone alla Quinta BWV 618
György Ligeti
Volumes
Johann Sebastian Bach
Fantasy and Fugue in G minor BWV 542

In the first episode, Maria Gnann talks with organist Markus Uhl about a colossus of organ music: "Volumina" by György Ligeti. It's about superhuman sound waves, risk of injury, and the irritation the piece caused in the 1960s.
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