Title
San Francisco Polyphony
for orchestra
Category
Orchestra
Duration
11:00
Number of performers
71
Instrumentation
3 (1st also Gafl., 2nd and 3rd also pic.) · 3 (2nd also obda., 3rd also ca.) · 3 (2nd also Ebcl., 3rd also bcl.) · 2 · cbn. - 2 · 2 · ttbn. · t.-btbn. · btba. - perc. (b.dr. · slaptst. · t.-t. · glock. · vibr. · xyl.) (2 performers) - hp. · pf. (also cel.) - str. (12 · 12 · 10 · 8 · 6)
Composition year(s)
1973
World premiere
1975-01-18
San Francisco · San Francisco Symphony Orchestra · conductor: Seiji Ozawa
Audio
Copyright
György Ligeti: The Ligeti Project © 2016 Warner Classics 0825646028580
Comment of the composer on the work
Atmosphères and Lontano are static pieces, whereas in my next orchestral piece, San Francisco Polyphony (1974), I worked with dramatic contrasts. Characteristic of its overall form is the dilation and compression of the range and the idea of contour and “filling” with countless teeming figures. My four “western” pieces for large orchestra are thus very different in character, illustrating my quest for new, unique and extreme solutions.
© 2001–2003 Teldec Classics & 2004 Warner Classics, Warner Music UK Ltd | Translation: Louise Duchesneau
Publisher