MuCT5190

Homework due Tuesday, September 20

Analysis of Time in Ligetis Clocks and Clouds (1972)

Begin by listening to the full piece. Please use this recording (which splits the
piece in half) as youll be identifying sections/events by time in your analysis:
Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=SyO7c6U5dEw&index=2&list=RDSyO7c6U5dEw
Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jcZyHGH0&list=RDSyO7c6U5dEw&index=2

I. Larger-scale temporal organization and perception(s)

Working with the first half of the piece only (you may, of course, do the
whole thing,
if you prefer), construct a descriptive map of your listening experience,
focusing on
temporal organization. The format for the output and what, exactly,
you choose to
show are left to you; however, please do identify some specific
moments/sections by time, referring to the times on the YouTube video
linked above.
Some suggested questions to consider as you listen and construct your
map:
Are there points at which the music seems to speed up or slow
down?
Or, if you prefer, are there points where time seems to
thicken or to
dilate?
Where do you hear sectional divisions?
What roles do changes (discontinuities?) in rhythmic texture
and/or speed
play in defining sections?
For each section:
Does the section feature meccanico patterning and/or
microcanon/micro-polyphony [clocks and/or clouds]?
Are all lines/layers sounding simultaneously articulating
the same
pulse and/or type of rhythmic process?
Are any resultant rhythmic patterns or patterns of
rhythmic

convergence/divergence discernable? If so, do they

influence
your perception of speed?
Do you experience time as linear and/or nonlinear within
the
section?
As you compare sections and as you listen to motion from one
section to the
next:
Are there any similarities between sections that might
suggest a
larger-scale groupings?
Do you hear motion between sections as linear or
nonlinear?
If linear, directed or multi-directed and why?
If non-linear, more vertical or moment time and
why?
Does the piece
as a whole (or this half, anyway) have a
single temporal
character (directed linear or vertical, for example) or does
it vary?
II. Local rhythmic relationships.
Consider the very local organization of the harp lines in the score
passage provided
on Canvas. (This passage is from the second half of the piece).
1. Describe in a sentence or two what Ligeti is doing, in general terms,
with respect
to rhythmic organization/process.
2. Thinking about the analyses weve read of Carters songs and of
Ligetis patternmeccanico compositions, what can you say more specifically
about the
formal organization and perceptual result of this passage?