Ru
EnL. Loginova
Synthesis in the System of György Ligeti’s Musical Language
The article examines the musical language of György Ligeti as one of the catalysts of the broader process of modernization of musical means of expression in the second half of the twentieth century. Ligeti introduces a new form of expression based on unique sound material that defines all components of the language: the structure of linguistic units, their functions, the specific character of the relationships among elements, form, and their expressive meaning. Despite the individual and distinctive nature of this musical material, Ligeti’s system is grounded in fundamental principles of communication and universal linguistic norms. It presents a cohesive grammatical system encompassing the three fundamental levels of sound organization: the phonic, the syntactic, and the compositional. From this point of view, the author assesses the musical innovations of the Hungarian composer.
The study is grounded in the established musicological concept of the hierarchical structure of musical expressive means, as well as in the linguistic and psychological laws governing their functioning and perception. The author proposes an original method for interpreting composer’s discourse at the intersection of general linguistic norms and the individual characteristics of their creative refraction. Special attention is given to the evolution of the “Ligeti style” from his early electronic experiments to his mature orchestral and operatic works, as well as to the principles of micropolyphony, heterophonic syntax, and static form as the composer's key innovations. The material examined comprises not only the Hungarian master's musical works but also his theoretical writings, public lectures, and interviews, which makes it possible to reconstruct the logic behind the formation of his creative method. The conclusion substantiates the productivity of synthesis as a system-forming principle that ensures the communicative viability of music within the context of post-avant-garde artistic discourse.
Key words
György Ligeti's musical language, phonism, texture, micropolyphony, heterophonic syntax, static form, Ligeti-style.
For citation
Loginova L. Synthesis in the system of György Ligeti’s musical language. In: South-Russian Musical Anthology. 2026. No. 3. Pp. 91–96.
