Chers Amis

Date of composition
2023
Duration
150 Seconds
Instrumentation
String quartet

Part of Nouvelles Études, 14 pieces inspired by György Ligeti's Études for piano, as part of the 2023 celebrations for the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Generously supported by Britten Pears Arts, BBC Radio 3, Bourgie Hall, the Vaughan Williams Foundation, and private donations.

First performed in 2023 at the Aldeburgh Festival.

Galamb Borong (my designated Étude) loosely translates as 'melancholic pigeon' in Hungarian.  A Google rabbit hole led me to Cher Ami, a WWI hero carrier pigeon who was awarded the Croix de Guerre.  However, truth be told, this piece is inspired by my Dear Friends in the Ligeti Quartet.

Events for this work

Friday
19
January 2024

Ligeti @ 100: Hay Music Trust

Hay Music celebrates 101 years since the birth of György Ligeti with the return of the superb Ligeti Quartet, highly acclaimed exponents of his work. The concert will be preceded by a 15 minute introduction by two people who knew Ligeti well: Prof Richard Steinitz OBE, author of the definitive book on Ligeti and Sally Groves MBE, who was Ligeti's agent for many years, together with a member of the Ligeti Quartet.

Sunday
5
November 2023

Ligeti Festival - Quartets and Etudes

Delve into the world of György Ligeti’s chamber music, from his youthful forays into composition inspired by Hungarian folklore to the radical experimentations of his later years. / Ces musiciens et musiciennes d'exception nous entraînent au cœur de l’univers de György Ligeti, de ses premiers essais de jeunesse inspirés du folklore hongrois aux expérimentations radicales de sa maturité.
Friday
23
June 2023