Event 3

On Saturday, May 20th, I attended the Moholy-Nagy: The Music of Kurtag and Ligeti at LACMA. I didn’t know what to expect -- I had never been to a concert of this type before, and was not familiar with Hungarian music.

The composers (photo by me)

Gyorgy Kurtag Jr. and Lukas Ligeti walked out onto the stage with extreme composure. They sat and paused for a moment. It was touching, their calmness. It was a soft but powerful reminder to be still. Despite this grand event that was about to commence, they took time to not rush.

The moment passed much quicker than I realize I wanted it to, and the two men along with their ensembles began to play their instruments. These instruments, however, were not of the common and expected. There was a seashell, a synthesizer machine, and a set of drums, to name a few.

The music, like their presence, was calm. But the music was just a component of the performance: the show included lights and electronics as well. Behind the musicians was a huge screen that featured images that changed with the tone and the speed of the sounds. The images were shapes, that to me, almost looked like atoms or other building blocks of nanotechnology.

Imagery that looked scientific (photo by me) 

At first I was put off by the images. I was not used to having images so synced with the music -- so intentional. It almost distracted me. My friend, Emily, a Film and Television major, joined me for the show. I  looked over at her to see her reaction, but could not catch her attention. She was so focused on the screen and the music playing. She got it. I wanted to know what that was.

At the end of the show, I asked her for her thoughts. She was fascinated by it. It kept her focused, she told me. Instead of letting her mind wander, she was constantly drawn in by the screen and the lights.

“I want to be more conscious of my time,” Emily said as we walked out of LACMA.

Imagery (photo by me)

“I want to be focused and directed. I appreciated feeling so consumed by the show and that what I was watching was purposeful. It felt like time spent well.”

Proof of attendance (Photo by Emily)

Thanks to Emily, I think that I understood the show a little better. The music played that night was not fast, and it did not seem to have choruses or repeats or even peaks of the song. It was meant to be listened to, to be reflected on, to be thought about. It was something that was composed with intention.

This event was a fulfilling way to end DESMA 9, as I believe that these composers embody the values of this class to be mindful and aware. I have greatly appreciated how this class has taught me to be intentional when viewing art, and understanding that it has the capacity to change thought and technology. If the opportunity arises, I highly recommend seeing this concert. It’s different, it’s challenging, and it’s distinctive. It’s time well spent.