Toros Can!

It has been a month since I have discovered Toros Can and his Ligeti Etudes CD, and what a serendipitous and charming find  it turned out to be… I was looking for something different (admittedly “ different” is a broad and diffuse word yet Ligeti himself is something different with all that it implies), but still someone to make it even more avantgarde yet retaining the balls to break what I call the “cellular automata barrier”. But let me elaborate on this little weird sounding concept; I think the inherent complexity of the compositions by this Hungarian-Romanian master,  while possessing a strong puerile side is to me is like a cellular automata output;  a very complex (not complicated!) musical progression formed by simple (yet first class in this case) ingredients and indiscernible transitions. He called what he did as micro-polyphony ,and rightly so. My point is, with this micro-polyphonic route, he reinvented cellular automation within the confines of human cognition.  Therefore, whenever some competent pianist starts with the very same ingredients, the result is different, distinctive and rich, yet similar in many respects to the others in existence. With that said, it is also possible to form quick binary judgements (love it, hate it) with performances inherently very close to each other. The distinguishing mark then would come from someone who can mix this complexity with his/her human side. Right here I will utter a pet peeve of mine; If you ask any listener or performer,  they would avouch the importance of retaining such emotional context  (for any musical performance really…), yet finally fail to judge accordingly or implement this unwritten principle when it comes to commenting on their listening experiences or personal renditions. But here is a man that plays Ligeti with complete command, finesse and tasteful exploration. There is obviously no way to wipe out the prejudice of former listening experiences in it`s entirety, especially if what you have experienced was Pierre-Laurent Aimard`s playing (when we are speaking of Ligeti). This is not better or worse, just refreshingly different and of same caliber(at least). And, remember; both auditing and performing Ligeti is “ extremely personal” so if you feel like someone (that someone might as well be you…) you hear manages to come close sounding like to Aimard(except for himself) you actually has chosen the wrong CD, but this one is “right”…