THE ELECTRONIC WORKS OF GYÖRGY LIGETI AND THEIR ...

approximately 157, 196, and 253 Hz, using a difference of about 50 Hz, making it
reminiscent of the harmonic spectra used in Region G. There are also fainter partials at
287, 354, 402, and 544, extending the harmonic series upwards. The slightly detuned
nature of these partials adds a harsh quality to the compact materials, and helps bridge
some of the gap between pure noises and tones, and does so in a way different from the
impulses used previously.
The remainder of Region J is made of noises which gliss and use prominent
crescendos and decrescendos; as pitch based events, these were hallmarks of Region G,
but now they are used with noises. This creates a similarity between the two passages,
based on gestures moving only in terms of registral space and dynamics, and in Event 3,
these come in various combinations, creating a variety of associations and points of
contrast with each other.
Event 3
Event 3a has no clear registral profile, although the middle is clearly higher and has
more pitch components than the diffuse beginning and ending. Event 3b has a profile of
high-low-middle, and event 3c trends downwards in two parts, much like Event 2 did.
While Event 3a’s middle is compact, Event’s 3b and 3c begin with diffuse elements
and end more compact. It is worth noting that the initial element of Event 3b is only
moderately diffuse with some more compact formants especially around 808 and 1604 Hz,
though these are not exact sine tones and gives this element more of a hollow sound than
that of any specific pitch.
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