The final movement is where the "Stele" fully realizes its potential as a ghost. The orchestra dwindles. The score, previously dense, becomes sparse. Notes hang in the air, suspended by fermatas that feel like held breath. It is a haunting conclusion, fading away into the same silence that prompted the search for the score in the first place.
Stele (often stylised in Greek capitals as , meaning a stone slab or pillar used as a memorial) is a composition for large orchestra. Its very title functions as its subtitle: this is a musical funerary monument.
György Kurtág's Stele, Op. 33 , is a monumental orchestral work composed in 1994, commissioned by the Berlin Philharmonic and dedicated to conductor Claudio Abbado. The "22" in your search likely refers to the
Most university students have access to the or ProQuest’s Music Periodicals Database . Some institutions pay for the “Scores on Demand” service. Search for “Kurtág Stélé EMB 14040.” If available, you can legally view and print a low-resolution preview of page 22 for academic study. kurtag stele score pdf 22
A "stele" is an ancient stone slab or pillar used as a grave marker or commemorative monument. Kurtág composed this musical monument in memory of the Hungarian composer, conductor, and legendary chamber music teacher . Mihály was a towering figure at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he profoundly influenced Kurtág's artistic philosophy and rigorous commitment to musical truth. Movement-by-Movement Analysis
Despite its large orchestra, the music is defined by abrupt changes, intense dynamic contrasts, and profound silence. Exploring the Score of Stele (Op. 33)
[Movement I: Larghissimo] ───► [Movement II: Lamentoso] ───► [Movement III: Molto sostenuto] (Monolithic Monody) (Shattered Agony) (Consolatory Chaconne) I. Larghissimo – Adagio The final movement is where the "Stele" fully
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. Stélé, György Kurtág - LA Phil
This guide has outlined the work's history, structure, and practical steps for accessing the score. We hope this has provided a clear roadmap. Have you had a chance to listen to the Abbado recording while following along with the score? It’s an experience that reveals the incredible care and detail in Kurtág’s writing.
: A movement of "explosive anger" and violent sonic clusters. It features a striking moment of stillness where the cacophony breaks for a gentle sound from six flutes, a tuba, and a piano. Notes hang in the air, suspended by fermatas
This comprehensive article explores the composition, musical architecture, and score layouts of both Op. 33 and Op. 22, detailing how to legally access perusal scores and digital editions via legitimate publishers.
Though compressed in length, the instrumentation for Stele is massive and structurally unconventional:
As of 2025, the Stélé score (Editio Musica Budapest Z. 14 040) has a retail price of approximately €80-€120 ($85-$130 USD). For a student pianist or conductor renting a university library copy, this is prohibitive. Furthermore, the score is often out-of-stock at major distributors like Boosey & Hawkes or Sheet Music Plus.
To understand page 22, one must understand the work’s form. Stélé is written in a single, continuous movement divided into four linked sections, each marked by a metronome speed and a Greek letter (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta).
If the "22" refers to measure 22, you are looking at the opening exposition of the main "Lento" theme—grief-stricken, low cellos and basses, marked subito f followed by an immediate collapse to ppp .