THE ELECTRONIC WORKS OF GYÖRGY LIGETI AND THEIR ...

Stage III into three regions of one large phase, since they are different steps in the same
process: a gradual accumulation of density, which is the culmination of the body of the
piece (see Figure 3.21). Region K lasts from 2'20" to 2'36" and is characterized by shorter
events often with intervening rests. Region L, characterized by longer, overlapping
events, runs from 2'36" until the violent attack in both channels at 2'57" which begins
Region M–a long span of dense activity, uninterrupted by rests. It is difficult to separate
the regions by channel in Stage III, and particularly in Region L, there are interesting
relationships between events in different channels, so to bring those out more clearly, the
regions will now include events in both channels.
Region K
Region K has three events, divided by rests; I further divide these events into parts,
where appropriate. In the first and third event, the parts indicate spatial distribution, and
the second event is divided into three parts, the first initiated in the right channel, the
second in the left, and the third being the continuation in the left channel, which entails a
substantial shift in sonic character. As in Region J, discussion will proceed from event to
event, with a summary chart towards the end.
Event 1: compact vs. diffuse. level vs. oblique, and register
Region K starts with a short event beginning with almost simultaneous attacks in
each channel; this brevity and coordination unifies this as an event despite the differences
in channel separation and also type of material. The left channel (Event 1a ) uses rapid
impulses spread through a wide register from around 40 to 3798 Hz, and with no definite
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