György Kurtág's "Kafka-Fragmente" is a profound and introspective journey through the musical interpretation of Franz Kafka's literary fragments. Released on January 1, 1996, under the Ondine label, this classical piano album spans 54 minutes of meticulously crafted compositions that delve into the essence of Kafka's writings. Kurtág, known for his unique ability to translate literary works into musical language, offers a deeply personal and evocative exploration of Kafka's themes and motifs.
The album is divided into four parts, each containing a series of pieces that capture the essence of Kafka's fragmented prose. From the haunting melodies of "Die Guten gehen im gleichen Schritt…" to the intricate rhythms of "Chassidischer Tanz," Kurtág's compositions are both technically demanding and emotionally resonant. The inclusion of hommages to other composers, such as Schumann and Boulez, adds layers of depth and complexity to the album.
"Kafka-Fragmente" is not just a collection of piano pieces; it is a testament to Kurtág's artistic vision and his ability to transform literary fragments into a cohesive and powerful musical narrative. Whether you are a fan of classical piano music or a lover of Kafka's works, this album offers a unique and enriching listening experience.
1996 Ondine1996 Ondine
Tracks
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 1, Die Guten gehen im gleichen Schritt… (the good march in step…)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 2, Wie ein Weg im Herbst (Like a pathway in autumn)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 3, Verstecke (Hiding-places)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 4, Ruhelos (Restless)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 5, Berceuse IGyörgy Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 6, Nimmermehr (Nevermore) [Excommunicatio]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 7, Wenn er mich immer fragt ("but he just won't stop asking me.")György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 8, Es zupfte mich jemand am Kleid (Someone tugged at my clothes)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 9, Die weissnaherinnen (the seamsresses)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1, Pt. I: No. 10, Szene am Bahnhof (Scene at the station)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 11, Sonntag, den 19. Juli 1910 (Sunday, 19th July 1910) [Berceuse II, Hommage a Jeney]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 12, Meine Ohrmuschel… (My ear…)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 13, Einmal brach ich mir das Bein (Chassidischer Tanz) [Once I broke my leg [Chassidic Dance]]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 14, Umpanzert (Enarmoured)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 15, 2 Spazierstocke (Authentisch-plagal) [2 walking-sticks [Authentic-plagal]]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 16, Keine Ruckkehr (No going back)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 17, Stolz (1910/15. November, zehn Uhr) [Pride [15th November 1910, 10 o'clock]]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 18, Traumend hing die Blume (the flower hung dreamily) [Hommage a Schumann]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. I: No. 19, Nichts dergleichen (Nothing of the kind)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. II: Der wahre Weg (the true path) [Hommage-message a Pierre Boulez]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 1, Haben? Sein? (to have? To be?)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 2, Der Coitus als Bestrafung (Coitus as punishment) [Canticulum Mariae Magdalenae]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 3, Meine Festung (My fortress)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 4, Schmutzig bin ich, Milena… (I am dirty, Milena…)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 5, Elendes Leben (Miserable life) [Double]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 6, Der begrenzte Kreis (the closed circle)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 7, Ziel, Weg, Zogern (Destination, path, hesitation)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 8, So fest (as tightly)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 9, Verstecke (Hiding-places) [Double]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 10, Penetrant Judisch (Offensively Jewish)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. III: No. 11, Staunend sahen wir das grosse Pferd (Amazed, we saw the great horse)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1, Pt. III: No. 12, Szene in de Elektrischen, 1910 (Scene on a tram, 1910)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. IV: No. 1, Zu spat (22. Oktober 1913) [Too late [22nd October 1913]György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. IV: No. 2, Eine lange Geschichte (a long story)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. IV: No. 3, In memoriam Robert KleinGyörgy Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. IV: No. 4, Aus einem alten Notizbuch (from an old notebook)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. IV: No. 5, Leoparden (Leopards)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. IV: No. 6, In memoriam Joannis PilinszkyGyörgy Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. IV: No. 7, Wiederum, wiederum (Again, again)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo
Kafka-Fragmente, Op. 24, Pt. 1: Pt. IV: No. 8, Es blendete uns die Mondnacht (the moonlit night dazzled us)György Kurtág, Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo