THE ELECTRONIC WORKS OF GYÖRGY LIGETI AND THEIR ...

pitched sound of harmonic and sub-harmonic spectra into more noise-based events. The
general dynamic level and density of Region J, however, is much less than that which
occurred in the bulk of Region G–resembling more closely the initial events of the
previous region. See Figure 3.20 and Table 3.13, below.
Transition from Region G to Region J
The transition from Region G to J is well prepared, and a number of factors make
this change quite smooth; at the most basic level, the absence of a dividing rest and the
continually decreasing dynamic level suggests this. Once the channel transfer of Region
G, Event 6 is complete, the final events (7 and 8) of Region G form a large decrescendo,
and the new region sneaks in quietly at the low point of this diminuendo. Event G-6 also
ends with a number of elements–single sine tones, no longer grouped into spectra–which
linger on after the bulk of the sounds abate. When the final event of Region G ends, more
of these single pitched sounds occur, but now they enter after a slight pause, and thus in a
different role, not as the end of an event, but as independent of the spectra and marking
the start of the new region.
Region J–overview
As Region J continues, it goes through a number of different types of sound
material, itself, though Ligeti generally keeps at least one sonic characteristic in common
between events to ensure some continuity. In particular the rate at which compact and
diffuse sounds exchange positions surpasses anything in the piece so far, yet in doing so
calls forth a number of associations to other regions. I will divide this region into three
events based on rests as well as long durations with significant diminuendi, and I will
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