György Ligeti, 1923-2006

Knorf · June 13, 2006, 1:01am

György Ligeti has passed away. Truly, one of the greatest composers in the 2nd half of the 20th century has left us. It is not expected–Ligeti was ill for several years–but it is a great loss to the world of music.

The Associated Press Obituary quotes Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel:

Many people would recognize his music from Kubrik’s 2001:A Space Odyssey and Eyes Wide Shut. The music was not written for these films, but rather appropriated (without permission) by Kubrik. Ligeti has a supreme position as one of the most innovative and imaginative composers of contemporary art music; his music is gorgeous and challenging and always rewarding to those who spend time listening.

I met Ligeti about 10 years ago, and it was a most memorable occastion, for the musical passion that seemed to form an aura about him, for his kindness to students, and for his musical intellect which was always cranking. I mourn Ligeti’s passing, and that we shall hear no new music from his superb musical imagination.

percussion · June 13, 2006, 3:59am

Rip

puts on Atmosphères

Argent_Towers · June 13, 2006, 5:06am

The greatest Austrian of modern music is a Hungarian Jew. Ironic, isn’t it?

Walloon · June 13, 2006, 5:31am

M-G-M did pay for the music rights; they didn’t steal it. The U.S. has been a signatory to the Universal Copyright Convention since 1952.

GorillaMan · June 13, 2006, 6:22am

There’s not many of the 20th-century giants left, now. Sad.

Knorf · June 13, 2006, 7:50am

As I said, however, they used the music without Ligeti’s permission; and as far as I know this is entirely correct. I don’t have any truly authoritative citations for this at the moment, but it is fairly common knowledge.

Knorf · June 13, 2006, 7:57am

I did find some more about the story, this is quoted from here , which is a cached version of an article that appeared in the 70mm Newsletter.

Robert C. Cumbow’s article on the music tells us how György Ligeti “took successful legal action for the unauthorized modification of his music”, particularly concerning the electronically treated excerpts from Ligeti’s Adventures.

As a matter of fact, Ligeti never got as far as to the court with his case. The story is this: Ligeti met a friend, who’d seen “2001:A Space Odyssey”. The friend commented on the use of Ligeti’s music in the film - much to Ligeti’s surprise: he had not seen it himself. What is more, Kubrick had never asked permission to use Ligeti’s compositions. His lawyer contacted MGM, claiming that the use of Ligeti’s music was illegal - MGM replied that Ligeti had every right to complain, but since all of the legal business was taken care of by an English agency, a lawsuit should be addressed to the people in England. This was the beginning of a lengthy correspondence proving that Ligeti had a case, but that a judicial process would be long and costly. Finally Ligeti decided not to go to court. An agreement was made with Kubrick’s management securing the composer a compensation - probably a lot less than what he was entitled to, yet still more than what was the first intention of Kubrick and MGM.

The above jives with what I remember reading from other sources.

Walloon · June 13, 2006, 8:12am

Composers are not usually asked permission for their works to be recorded or for their works to be used in a motion picture. Composers have the right to determine who will be the first performers to record their works, but after that, if the composition is published, the composer normally has no say in who else records the work, or uses it in a motion picture.

P.S. I think you mean “jibes”.

Knorf · June 13, 2006, 8:47am

Can we keep this thread a celebration of Ligeti’s life work, and the mourning of his passing, and not let it get sidetracked into a debate on copyright law? Thanks.

mamboman · June 13, 2006, 10:33am

This is appallingly sad news! Ligeti was a true master…

mm