The Ligeti Project, Warner Edition

This five-disc set contains most of Ligeti's orchestral output in splendid performances by a stellar lineup of musicians, and so for most listeners looking to get started with this composer it represents a logical first choice. The Sony box is nothing to sneer at, as I've already said, but it contains a lot of vocal music (without texts) and so, despite its excellence, it remains a supplemental acquisition for the hard-core collector.

[charlescoleman]

I’ve always loved Gyorgy Ligeti. His music is proof that, no matter how dissonant or unique it is, there is always an amazing sound world that grabs anyone once they hear it. It’s not about tonality. It’s about great music, period! And his “San Francisco Polyphony” is a true masterpiece.

[davidbo]

He's much more popular than one would assume. I, for one, own the DGs, the Ligeti Project releases on individual discs, the Sony box, and started my Ligeti collection with the Wergo LP version of the Requiem. So, I sure have contributed to his "commercial success". I vividly remember playing the Requiem for the 1st time and saying to myself "I know this, that sounds familiar' and then it clicked, that's the spooky soundtrack to 2001, a Space Odyssey. The latest Ligeti disc I've bought is also on Wergo, it's the "Volumina" cd, which features an extraordinary version of this work on an electronic organ (ideal for this piece, really). You can stream the rest of that album, but if you want to hear "Volumina" you'll have to buy the cd, or maybe a download or something. But it's worth it.

Finally, he's got 120K monthly streams on spotify. For late/2nd half 20th century composers, that's huge. As you've previously said, the guy's a genius, his music is a little alienating, sure, (so what?), but in an exciting way, and repeated listening in this case pays huge dividends. A bit like Berio and Hindemith, really.

[stevemcclue]

Ligeti is a terrific composer, and this is a great box. Ligeti has that rare ability to project humour or just plain daftness in music (there's a project for you, Dave) - an ability that many po-faced composers lack.

I always loved the Concert Romanesc - Mariss Jansons used to do it as an encore piece, and with its false endings it usually brings the house down. It's an interesting test of the conductor's art to be able to make it clear to the audience that "this isn't over yet!"

[davidecarlassara]

Ligeti is, I think, among the very very very great

[mqrk]

I absolutely adore this release, I'm well familiar with it but I just had to listen to this anyway, who doesn't enjoy hearing about things they like every now and then?

[CortJohnson]

Well darn! I’m convinced! Ligeti it is - nice that these are so affordable. Thanks again for the intro, Dave.

[ozoz]

Excellent! Have the CBS, the Teldec and the DG; Xenakis next - please!

[cartologist]

Just got this today, after watching several videos with the appalling (in a good way) Barbara Hannigan, and the violin concerto cadenza by Patricia Kopatchinskaja with Rattle and the BPO.
The Liner Notes are by Ligeti.

[seanz]

I bought this set as well as all the Sony discs
Lots of great stuff on both sets
Lontano is my favorite
Spooky, atmospheric, beautiful

[robert]

I have this set. Great stuff indeed. And sound quality is absolutely first rate too.

[RyanPower]

Surprised to see this set in such high regard having heard your opinions on other modern music in the past. I wonder what makes Ligeti different to you than the likes of Boulez? Also, have you by any chance heard any of Gérard Grisey's music?

[barryguerrero]

This set is currently very reasonably priced at Amazon.

[davidm]

Dave, you've been so down on atonal music in the past. You were scathing about the music of Boulez for example. Have you had a Road to Damascus moment?

[porcinet]

features the only good performance I have ever encountered of Clocks and Clouds too. an utterly beautiful piece that feels like flying through the sky

[cyberprimate]

This is irrelevant but could you list your ideal Haydn piano concertos ?