Életrajz
György Kurtág was born to Hungarian par
ents in Lugoj, Romania. In 1946, he began his
studies at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest
(piano with Pál Kadosa, chamber music with Leó
Weiner, and composition with Sándor Veress and
Ferenc Farkas). It was following a year’s study in
Paris with Olivier Messiaen and Darius Milhaud
that he wrote his seminal work the String Quartet,
Op. 1 (1959) which would mark a turning point in
his output. Between 1960 and 1968, he worked
as répétiteur at the National Philharmonia in
Budapest, and in 1967 was appointed professor
of piano and later of chamber music at the Liszt
Academy of Music, where he taught until 1993. Since the 1990s, he worked
abroad: he was composer-in-residence at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
(1993–1995) and the Vienna Konzerthausgesellschaft (1995). He then lived in
the Netherlands (1996–1998), in Berlin (1998–1999), and in Paris (1999–2001). In
2002, he settled in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, and since 2015, he has returned to live
in Budapest. His range of compositions encompasses vocal and instrumental
chamber works, such as: Kafka-Fragmente or Officium breve, as well as large-scale
orchestral pieces, such as: Stele, dedicated to Claudio Abbado and the Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra, and … concertante … . His opera on Samuel Beckett’s
text Fin de partie premiered in 2018 La Scala in Milan with international acclaim.
He is the recipient of numerous awards, including: the Kossuth Prize (1996);
Ernst-von-Siemens-Music Prize (1998); Grawemeyer Award (2006); WihuriSibelius Prize (2012); BBVA Foundation Award (2015); Rolf Schock Prize (2020).
He is a member of the Széchenyi Academy, the Academy of Arts, Berlin, and
the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. He held numerous master-classes
in chamber music and would appear in concerts together with his wife, Márta
(1927–2019), playing a selection of pieces from Games and Transcriptions. Most of
his work is published by Universal Music Publishing Editio Musica Budapest,
and some by Universal Edition, Vienna.
STAGE WORKS
Samuel Beckett: Fin de partie – Scènes et monologue en un acte (2010–2017),
2 Bar, MS, T, symph. orch. Pub: UMP EMB
CONCERTOS
Movement for Viola and Orchestra (1953–1954) Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM
New Series 1711
Grabstein für Stephan – For Guitar and Groups of Instruments Dispersed in
Space, Op. 15c (1978–1979, rev. 1989) Pub: UMP EMB SR: DGG 447 761
… quasi una fantasia … – For Piano and Groups of Instruments Dispersed in
Space, Op. 27, No. 1 (1987–1988) Pub: UMP EMB SR: Col legno WWE 31870
Op. 27, No. 2 “DOUBLE CONCERTO” – For Piano, Violoncello and Two
Chamber Ensembles Dispersed in Space (1989–1990) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: Col legno WWE 31870
… concertante …, Op. 42 (2002–2003, rev. 2007), vl., vla., orch. Pub: UMP
EMB SR: BMC CD 129
Zwiegespräch (with György Kurtág junior) – Dialogue for Synthesizer/Marimba
and Orchestra (Arranged by Olivier Cuendet) (1999–2006) Pub: UMP EMB
ORCHESTRAL WORKS
ΣТНΛН
ΣТНΛН / Stele – For Large Orchestra, Op. 33 (1994), symph. orch. Pub: UMP
EMB SR: DGG 447 761
Messages for Orchestra – For Orchestra and Mixed Choir, Op. 34 (1991–1996)
Pub: UMP EMB SR: Hänssler 98931 (excerpts)
New Messages for Orchestra, Op. 34a (1998–2000, rev. 2009) Pub: UMP EMB
Brefs Messages, Op. 47 (2011), chbr. ens. Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM New Series 2505
Petite musique solennelle – en hommage à Pierre Boulez 90 – For Orchestra
(2015) Pub: UMP EMB
CHAMBER WORKS
Quartetto d’archi, Op. 1 (1959) Pub: UMP EMB SR: WDR/Auvidis/Disques
Montaigne 789007
Quintetto per fiati, Op. 2 (1959) Pub: UMP EMB SR: BIS CD 662
Eight Duos – For Violin and Cimbalom, Op. 4 (1960–1961) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: BMC 046
Hommage à András Mihály – Twelve Microludes for String Quartet, Op. 13
(1977–1978) Pub: UMP EMB SR: DGG 469066
A kis csáva/The Little Fix – For Piccolo, Trombone and Guitar, Op. 15b (1978)
Pub: UMP EMB SR: Stradivarius STR 33775
Six Pieces for Trombone and Piano (1978) Pub: UMP EMB
Tre pezzi per violino e pianoforte, Op. 14e (1979) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: RP/GMA 991
Bagatelles – For Flute, Double Bass and Piano, Op. 14d (1981) Pub: UMP EMB
Officium Breve in memoriam Andreæ Szervánszky – For String Quartet,
Op. 28 (1988–1989) Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM New Series 1598
Ligatura – Message to Frances–Marie (The Answered Unanswered Question)
– For Violoncello with Two Bows, Two Violins and Celesta, Dispersed
in Space/or Two Violoncellos, Two Violins, and Celesta, Dispersed in
Space/or Two Organs and Celesta (or Upright Piano), Dispersed in Space,
Op. 31b (1989) Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM New Series 1598
Hommage à R. Sch. – For Clarinet (and Bass Drum), Viola and Piano,
Op. 15d (1975–1990) Pub: UMP EMB SR: BMC CD 0048
Aus der Ferne III – For String Quartet (1991) Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM New
Series 1598
Életút/Lebenslauf – For Two Pianos and Two Basset Horns (The 2nd Piano is
Tuned Down a Quarter Tone), Op. 32 (1992) Pub: UMP EMB SR: BRIDGE 9496
Rückblick – Altes und Neues für vier Spieler (Hommage à Stockhausen) –
A composed Programme of Original and Reworked Pieces for Trumpet,
Double Bass, Piano and Keyboard Instruments (1993) Pub: Universal
Edition
Tre pezzi per clarinetto e cimbalom, Op. 38, Tre altri pezzi per clarinetto
e cimbalom, Op. 38a (1996) Pub: UMP EMB SR: HCD 32015 (Op. 38a)
Aus der Ferne V – Alfred Schlee in memoriam – For String Quartet (1999)
Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM New Series 1598
Hommage à Jacob Obrecht – For String Quartet (2004–2005) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: ATMA ACD2 2706
6 Moments Musicaux – For String Quartet, Op. 44 (1999–2005) Pub: UMP
EMB SR: Neos 11033
Triptic – For Two Violins, Op. 45 (2007) Pub: UMP EMB
CHORAL WORKS
Klárisok/Beads – For Four-Part Mixed Choir, to the Poem by Attila József
(1950) Pub: UMP EMB SR: HCD 31290
Omaggio a Luigi Nono – Six Choruses for Mixed Choir, to Poems by Anna
Akhmatova and Rimma Dalos, Op. 16 (1979–1981) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: Hänssler Classic CD 93.174
Eight Choruses to Poems by Dezső Tandori, Op. 23 (1981–1982, rev. 1984),
SATB Pub: UMP EMB SR: Hänssler Classic CD 93.174
ПЕСНИ УНЫНИЯ И ПЕЧАЛИ [PESNI UNYNIJA I PECHALI]/Songs of
Despair and Sorrow – Six Choruses to Poems by Mikhail Lermontov,
Aleksandr Blok, Sergei Esenin, Osip Mandelshtam, Anna Akhmatova
and Marina Tsvetayeva, Op. 18 (1980–1994), 2 SATB, instr. Pub: UMP
EMB SR: ECM New Series 2505
Colindă – Baladă, Op. 46 (2006–2008), T, 2 SATB, ens. Lib: Rumanian
Colinda Text and Melody Collected by Béla Bartók Pub: UMP EMB
SR: ECM New Series 2505
VOCAL WORKS
The Sayings of Péter Bornemisza – Concerto for Soprano and Piano, Op. 7
(1963–1968, rev. 1976) Pub: Universal Edition SR: BMC CD 279
In Memory of a Winter Sunset – Four Fragments to Poems by Pál Gulyás,
for Soprano, Violin and Cimbalom, Op. 8 (1969) Pub: Universal Edition
SR: Audite 97762
Four Capriccios – To Poems by István Bálint, for Soprano and Chamber
Ensemble, Op. 9 (1959, 1970–1971, rev. 1999) Pub: Universal Edition
SR: ECM New Series 2505
Four Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky – For Baritone or Bass-Baritone and
Chamber Ensemble, Op. 11 (1973–1975) Pub: Universal Edition
SR: HCD 31290
Three Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky – For Baritone or Bass-Baritone
and Piano (Based on No. 1-3 of Four Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky,
Op. 11), Op. 11a (1986) Pub: Universal Edition
Eszká Emlékzaj/S. K. Remembrance Noise – Seven Songs to Poems by Dezső
Tandori, for Soprano and Violin, Op. 12 (1974–1975) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: HCD 31821
Herdecker–Eurythmie – For Flute, Violin, Speaking Voice and Tenor Lyre,
Op. 14 (1979) Lib: Ellen Lösch Pub: UMP EMB
ПОСЛАНИЯ ПОКОЙНOЙ Р. В. ТРУСОВОЙ [POSLANIJA POKOJNOJ R. V.
TRUSOVOJ]/Messages of the Late Miss R. V. Troussova – To Twenty-One
Poems by Rimma Dalos, for Soprano and Chamber Ensemble, Op. 17
(1976–1980) Pub: UMP EMB SR: Erato 88263
СЦEНЫ ИЗ РОМАНА [SCENI IZ ROMANA] – Scenes from a Novel – Fifteen
Songs to Poems by Rimma Dalos, for Soprano, Violin, Double Bass and
Cimbalom, Op. 19 (1979–1982) Pub: UMP EMB SR: Sony SK 53290
József Attila–töredékek/Attila József Fragments, Op. 20 (1982), S Pub: UMP
EMB SR: HCD 31821
Seven Songs – To Poems by Amy Károlyi and a Haiku by Kobayashi Issa in
the Hungarian translation by Dezső Tandori, for Soprano and Cimbalom
(or Piano), Op. 22 (1981–1982) Pub: UMP EMB SR: Avie AV2408
Kafka-Fragmente – For Soprano and Violin, Op. 24 (1985–1987) Pub: UMP
EMB SR: HCD 31135
Three Old Inscriptions – For Soprano and Piano, Op. 25 (1986–1987)
Pub:UMP EMB SR: Avie AV2408
РЕКВИЕМ ПО ДРУГУ [REKVIEM PO DRUGU]/Requiem for the Beloved –
To Poems by Rimma Dalos, for Soprano and Piano, Op. 26 (1982–1986)
Pub: UMP EMB SR: Col legno WWE 31870
Samuel Beckett: What is the Word – To the Last Writing of Samuel Beckett,
for Contra-Alto Solo (Recitation), Five Vocalists and Chamber Groups
Dispersed in Space, Op. 30b (1991) Pub: UMP EMB SR: DGG 437 840
Hölderlin-Gesänge – For Baritone Solo (and Trombone, Tuba), to Poems
and Fragments by Friedrich Hölderlin, Op. 35a (1993–1997) Pub: UMP
EMB SR: ECM New Series 1730
… pas à pas – nulle part … – Poèmes de Samuel Beckett – To Poems by
Samuel Beckett and Maxims by Sébastien Chamfort – Samuel Beckett,
Op. 36 (1993–1998, rev. 2007–2008), Bar, perc., str. trio Pub: EMB
SR: ECM New Series 1730
Einige Sätze aus den Sudelbüchern Georg Christoph Lichtenbergs, Op. 37a
(1996–1999), S, db. Pub: UMP EMB SR: Audite 97762
АННА АХМАТОВА: ЧЕТЫРЕ СТИХОТВОРЕНИЯ [ANNA ACHMATOVA:
ČETYRE STYCHOTVORENIJA]/Four Poems by Anna Akhmatova, Op. 41
(1997–2008), S, chbr. ens. Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM New Series 2505
SOLO WORKS
Eight Piano Pieces, Op. 3 (1960) Pub: Universal Edition SR: HCD 31290
Jelek/Signs, Op. 5 (1961, rev. 1992), vla. Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM New Series 1508
Szálkák/Splinters, Op. 6c (1962–1973), cimb. Pub: UMP EMB SR: BMC CD 046
Szálkák/Splinters, Op. 6d (1978), pno. Pub: UMP EMB SR: Caprice CAPP 21725
Jelenetek/Scenes, Op. 39 (1997), fl. Pub: UMP EMB
Hipartita, Op. 43 (2000–2004, 2007), vl. Pub: UMP EMB SR: BMC CD 129
COLLECTIONS
Játékok/Games, Vol. I–IV (1975–1979), pno., pno. 4 hands, 2 pno. Pub: UMP
EMB SR: Victor ECD 93002-03-04 (complete)
Játékok – naplójegyzetek, személyes üzenetek/Games – Diary Entries
and Personal Messages, Vol. V–X (1943–2011), pno. 4 hands, 2 pno.
Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM New Series 1619 (excerpts), BMC CD 123,
Cd 139 (excerpts)
Signs, Games, and Messages for Violin (1987–2003) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: Resonus RES10167 (complete)
Signs, Games, and Messages for Viola (1961, 1987–2001) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: Mode Records 230 (complete)
Signs, Games, and Messages for Violoncello (1984–2006) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: Harmonia Mundi HMC 901735 (excerpts)
Signs, Games, and Messages for Double Bass (1999–2000) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: Gramola 99102 (excerpts)
Signs, Games and Messages for String Trio (1994–2004) Pub: UMP EMB
SR: ECM New Series 1730 (excerpts)
Signs, Games, and Messages for Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Recorder and
Mixed Settings with Flute (1988–2014) Pub: UMP EMB SR: Orlando
or0030 (excerpts)
Signs, Games, and Messages for Oboe and for Cor Anglais and for Mixed
Settings with Oboe or Cor Anglais (1997–2014) Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM
New Series 2665 (excerpts)
Signs, Games, and Messages for Clarinet, for Bass Clarinet, for Double Bass
Clarinet and for Mixed Settings with Clarinet (1984–2014) Pub: UMP EMB
TRANSCRIPTIONS
Transcriptions from Machaut to J. S. Bach – For Piano Four and Six Hands,
and for Two Pianos (1973–1976, 1991) Pub: UMP EMB SR: ECM New
Series 1619 (excerpts)
