Artikulation. Sur la musique electronique et une pseudo-partition

Abstract

This article delves into the philosophical and historical context of electronic music, focusing on György Ligeti's piece Artikulation and its unique analytical approach. Ligeti's Artikulation (1958), created during his tenure at the Cologne Studio for Electronic Music, is examined through a pseudo-score—a visual aid for both listening and analysis. The article presents a detailed analysis of the piece using both traditional and modern analytical models, including Roberto Doati’s approach to acoustic imagery and Pierre Couprie’s categorical criteria. The analysis reveals the structural and morphologic intricacies of the composition, emphasizing its innovative use of sound materials and compositional techniques.Ligeti's electronic experiments, particularly Artikulation, are shown to have had a profound influence on his later works. The study concludes that Artikulation and its contemporaneous compositions were pivotal in shaping Ligeti’s musical language, contributing to his development of complex textures and innovative timbral transformations.