Special early announcement of the 2026 program: ANAM celebrates the centenary of one of the great living composers
The celebration of a century is a true occasion. It is particularly exciting when it is the birthday of a living composer. As a special early release of the 2026 program, we’re delighted to share that we will kick off the 2026 season with a celebration of the work of György Kurtág.
Heard at several ANAM concerts over the years, Kurtág’s music is an exploration of deep emotional expression through an intimate and often quite personal musical language. Containing many of the innovative approaches to music making created by the Avant-guard after the second world war, Kurtág’s music stands as a highly original voice that blends these progressive explorative musical shifts into miniature forms, that resource gesture and their musical material down to the smallest Webern-esque gestures.
Growing up in the multicultural eastern Europe of the 1920s, Kurtág grew up speaking Hungarian, Romanian and German, and was a lifelong friend of Gyorg Ligetti after meeting in the 1940s.
Fleeing Hungary after the 1956 uprising, Kurtág spent time in Paris where he studied with Olivier Messiaen and Darius Milhaud, as well as working with psychologist Marianne Stein who aided the composer through writer's block. “This encounter really freed me... It made me realise I should compose in the way that felt right to me, not to others, that I should seek the truth.” In gratitude for this revelation, he dedicated his Opus 1 String Quartet to her, stating “She told me to bring two notes together in conjunction with each other. She meant I should create a melodic unity, but I had understood her to mean that I should write pieces beginning with one note, like a C, and ending with, say, an A. The misunderstanding triggered a new thought process in me about how I should compose.”
A remarkable 70 year-plus career continues, with significant highlights including composer-in-residence with the Berlin Philharmonic, the premiere of his sprawling opera Fin de partie, based on Endgame by lifelong inspiration for Kurtág Samuel Beckett, in 2018 at Teatre alla Scala. This work was described by Alex Ross that “Beckett has been waiting for Kurtág all this time."
Kurtág is renowned not only as an exponent of new compositions but is known the world over as an educator and coach. Countless chamber music ensemble have sort out his insight into various works from the repertoire. With a fastidious and detailed approach to coaching ensembles, he has gained a reputation of mentoring musicians to an impeccable standard.
"Kurtág’s music is a place where child’s play and composer’s genius meet. His music often brings a smile to the listener’s face, sometimes it makes them think, but it always touches them. Particularly important is also his deep sense of tradition, this comes through in the numerous references he makes to his past and contemporary colleagues. Musicians who have worked under his guidance also know his uncompromising expectation that every note, and every moment between every note, speaks. I cannot imagine a more worthwhile musical figure to celebrate.”
– Paavali Jumppanen, ANAM Artistic Director
This performance will kick off ANAMs 2026 performance at the Abbotsford Convent and is on sale now.
Kurtág and Friends – 100th anniversary of hearing the world differently
Wednesday 18 March 2026 7pm
György KURTÁG Six Pieces for trombone and piano
Béla BARTÓK Rhapsody No. 1 for violin and piano
György KURTÁG Hommage à Robert. Sch.: Six moments musicaux, op. 15d
Robert SCHUMANN Adagio and Allegro, op. 70
György KURTÁG Six Moments Musicaux, op. 44
György LIGETI Étude No. 1, Désordre
György LIGETI Étude No. 6, Automne à Varsovie
György KURTÁG Ligatura – Message to Frances‑Marie (The Answered Unanswered Question)
Venue Rosina Auditorium, Abbotsford Convent
Tickets from $20
Book Now
This article was first published in volumne 57 of Music Makers.
Words by Evan Lawson, Marketing Manager