A music obit

On Monday, Gyorgi Ligeti died. Not many realize they know Ligeti, but his was the music that Kubrick used in much of "2001: A Space Odyssey" (allegedly, without informing Ligeti himself). However, Ligeti's importance to classical music and 20th century music goes far beyond a classic film. He, up with Steve Reich and Iannis Xenakis, was one of the most important avante-composers of the 20th century, using a micropolyphonal approach that was (to use one of those too-often-abused-but-in-this-case-true words) revolutionary. His choral works are remarkable (if not downright creepy), and his work as a whole is important. If you like music that stretches the boundaries of how we understand music, do yourself a favor and listen to some Ligeti.