Last year, a 43-year-old violinist by the name of Alan Gilbert became the first native New Yorker to be named Music Director of the New York Philharmonic. With this new conductor has come a variety of new ways to market this established orchestra – particularly in regards to newer music. For György Ligeti’s satiricial “anti-opera”, Le Grand Macabre, they have tried something nobody would ever associate with the New York Philharmonic: Guitar Hero. The above video features Gilbert alongside his companion, Death, playing Guitar Hero in one of a series of videos.
For those who don’t know, Ligeti – a Hungarian Jewish composer – had some of his pieces featured in Stanley Kubrick films (i.e. 2001, Eyes Wide Shut). Ligeti is considered to be one of the most influential composers of new music.
Classical music has forever been branded with the stigma of pretentiousness and inaccessibility. It is very cool to see them try to tear down this wall while affectionately embracing music games. Perhaps a few gamers might want to check out the New York Philharmonic’s performance of Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre (or “The Great Death”)? I can tell you it is certainly worth your time!
It opens May 27th!
Information can be found HERE.
