György Ligeti: Poème Symphonique For 100 Metronomes

About This Movie

This film captures a unique moment in music performance—György Ligeti's 'Poème Symphonique for 100 metronomes,' executed by the 21st Century Consort. It’s intriguing, really, watching these mechanical metronomes all ticking in sync and then slowly falling out of time. The atmosphere in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church adds a certain gravity to the experience. You can almost feel the weight of the sound waves filling the room, contrasting with the precision of the metronomes. It’s a study in chaos versus order, and the pacing allows you to embrace the meditative quality of the ticking. Those familiar with Ligeti will appreciate the distinctiveness of this presentation—it’s not just about the music, but also about the concept itself.

Documentary exploration of Ligeti's work · Unique setting in St. Mark's Episcopal Church · Focuses on the interplay of sound and silence