Poème Symphonique

The formal thinking behind the piece is based on the interaction between individually determined periodic rhythms and a cumulative polyrhythmic overall structure. Although the overall rhythmic structure is on an indeterminate level intermediate - the result of adding individual periods of different length is at any given time random -, it is again determinate on the higher level of the temporal development of the overall from.

This overall form consists of the three phases: uniformity - gradual structuring - and uniformity, whereby uniformity in the initial phase arises form the collective blur of the individual periods, and in the final phase is a results of the periodicity of the one remaining ticking metronome. There are no distinct divisions between the three phases: the rhythmical process leads smoothly and gradually from one phase into the next. This appears to be a continuous process but consists of individual, discontinuous moments as each metronome stop suddenly. In the sparsely instrumented final phase with only a few metronomes left ticking, this discontinuity becomes audible, most obviously when the last metronome stops.

- György Ligeti


Rental metronomes are available from:

Wittner GmbH, Isny
Export Department, Ms Angelika Endele
Tel. ++49 (0)7562 - 70422
Fax. ++49 (0)7562 - 70414
wittner@wittner-gmbh.de