Kunst der Wiederholung und Variation

The art of the repetition and the variation. Ligeti in light of Mondrian and Klee Ligeti's works often demonstrate references to visual phenomena. This can be seen in several titles and also by the fact that they have often been inspired by pictures and even visions. This paper investigates these references. It examines among other things the similarities between the effect that the observation of rhythmical condensing in Piet Mondrian's work had on his work as well as the effect of the evolutionary repetitions and polyphonic mutations in Paul Klee's work and of the effects that are aroused by such works of Ligeti's as Ramifications Continuum or the Kammerkonzert. The correspondence betweeen the works that Ligeti example is astonishing. The techniques of repetition of polyphonic mutation and of slow chromatic layering create a special effect in the eye or in the ear of the observer or listener: The beginning motion expands brings to light a third dimension and finally creates a so-called »trompe-l'oeil«.