“Infinite Staircase” is a co-commissioned project with Metropolis Ensemble, in which 18 new works for piano solo will be composed to celebrate Ligeti's centenary birthday in 2023.
These 18 new works world-premiered along with the 18 Ligeti Etudes on September 24, 2023 at National Sawdust in Brooklyn, New York.
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About the Commissions
The 18 composers are hand-picked by Han Chen to meet his vision for the future of classical music, which is diverse and creative. Each composer is to be paired up with one of the 18 Ligeti Etudes. The pairing is meant for a specific inspiration for the composers to initiate their compositions.
Composers can choose to study the Etude, go against the Etude, or just sit with the Etude when they compose. They can also compose an Etude, or even come up with something totally different. Nevertheless, the pairing is both conscious and subconscious, a basis for the composers to fly with their imagination.
After the composers finish their new works, Chen will work closely with the composers to prepare for the world premieres of the works.
Why György Ligeti?
If you think it is hard to imagine piano music without Chopin’s piano Etudes, the same can be said about Ligeti’s 18 piano Etudes. Written between 1985-2001, the Etudes are the most influential works for the piano. Ligeti expands the meaning of virtuosity, not only challenges the pianist’s technique, but also lends the succeeding composers the imagination. In the occassion of Ligeti’s centenary, it is as good as it gets for a pianist to work on the piano Etudes and for the composers to write in homage to his legacy.
In addition to the commissions, Han Chen’s 4th solo album featuring complete Ligeti Etudes were released by Naxos in May 2023.
Participating Composers
Nick Bentz - Etude No. 16 “Pour Irina”
Shiuan Chang - Etude No. 10 “Der Zauberlehring”
Victoria Cheah - Etude No. 11 “En suspens”
Jessie Cox - Etude No. 18 “Canon”
Fjóla Evans - Etude No. 9 “Vertige”
David Fulmer - Etude No. 12 “Entrelacs”
Vivian Fung - Etude No. 15 “White on White”
Chiayu Hsu - Etude No. 1 “Désordre”
Molly Joyce - Etude No. 8 “Fém”
Jihyun Kim - Etude No. 2 “Cordes à vide”
Jared Miller - Etude No. 3 “Touches bloquées”
Tom Morrison - Etude No. 4 “Fanfares”
Gity Razaz - Etude No. 5 “Arc-en-ciel”
Tengku Irfan - Etude No. 14 “Columna infinita”
Sugar Vendil - Etude No. 7 “Galamb borong”
Meng Wang - Etude No. 17 “À bout de souffle”
Xinyang Wang - Etude No. 13 “L’escalier du diable”
Nina Young - Etude No. 6 “Automne à Varsovie”
Special Thanks
"Infinite Staircase" is co-commissioned by Metropolis Ensemble and Han Chen, with an additional Metropolis commission for ambient music by Phong Tran. Lighting design by Dominick Chang.
Klavierhaus and Fazioli Pianoforti are pleased to support Han Chen in his performance at National Sawdust. Klavierhaus is the authorized Fazioli concert service department in the tri-state area.
Additional thanks: Anonymous, Thomas Bown II, Paul and Libby De Rosa, Peter Solmssen, Jennifer West, June Wu, Vivian Wu, and Zander Zhou.
Concert Highlights
Photo credits: Metropolis Ensemble, Armistead Booker, and Ricardo Romaneiro.