György Ligeti Essentials

He wrote a piece for 100 metronomes (“Poeme Symphonique”), a comic-apocalyptic opera with a “Car Horn Prelude” (Le Grand Macabre), as well as jagged harpsichord pieces with titles like “Hungarian Rock.” Yes, your suspicions are correct: György Ligeti was one of the 20th century's most playful modernists. Bringing some much needed wit into the realm of the (usually) super-serious European avant-garde, his best works intrigue with their surprising textures while also entertaining on a visceral level. And Ligeti's influence is still felt today, not least through the music of composer Unsuk Chin, his onetime student.