
The devil's staircase
Cathy Krier's 2024 rendition of Gyorgy Ligeti's 'L'Escalier du Diable' (The Devil's Staircase) is a breathtaking descent into the abyss of sound - a relentless, towering piece that challenges both pianist and listener. In the Luxembourger pianist's hands, this hard-driving toccata - fast-moving, lightly-fingered composition - transforms into a terrifying yet mesmerising spectacle, a staircase that seemingly ascends beyond human limits.
Ligeti's 1993 work, part of the Hungarian composer's 'Etudes' (Studies), is a study in perpetual motion, filled with asymmetrical rhythms, ferocious clusters and escalating intensity. Krier's precision is surgical. Yet, her interpretation breathes with unsettling vitality.
She captures the demonic urgency of the ever-ascending lines, where each repeated motif feels like an impossible, Sisyphean climb. Her touch balances stark violence with eerie delicacy, ensuring that even in moments of crushing dissonance, a spectral beauty lingers.
Listening to 'L'Escalier' is a psychological experience, a labyrinthine sonic spiral. It's a masterpiece of controlled chaos, one of Ligeti's most thrilling, gripping pieces.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
29-05-2025
- Time of India
French Open 2025: At Roland Garros, Carlos Alcaraz progresses, Casper Ruud doesn't
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz returns the ball to Italy's Giulio Zeppieri during their first round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Paris: Carlos Alcaraz is not a creature of proclivity, rather the French Open 's defending champion is instinctive. It's the way he plays his tennis — feeling his way into a match, and dissecting the court — the way he lives his life. The 22-year-old, who arrived at Roland Garros wearing a scruffy look, beard and overgrown crop, played his first-round match flaunting the fatigued tint. On Wednesday, however, the second seed rocked a new look against Hungary's Fabian Marozsan. Alcaraz, who flew his barber into Paris, was given a close crop, shaved sides and tapered back finish, a style that was met with mixed reviews on the net. The second seed chased down a mid-match fightback from the Hungarian to score a 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win on Court Philippe Chatrier. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Alcaraz, who is unafraid to ride the mood, said he was lucky that his barber Victor was free to fly into Paris. '(When we were) talking, (I asked that) he bring the materials to cut my hair,' Alcaraz said. 'I think everybody saw my hair, my beard. I had to do something about it. I know people are not used to seeing me get a haircut during a (tournament), that's why people were a little bit surprised, but I think that's something normal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keventer One: Offices built for you Keventer ONE Undo ' Meanwhile, on another rain-interrupted day at Roland Garros, seventh-seeded Casper Ruud, hampered by a left knee issue, went down 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0 to Portugal's Nuno Borges. YUKI-GALLOWAY, BOPANNA-PAVLASEK WIN India's Yuki Bhambri and American Robert Galloway beat Dutchman Robin Haase and German Hendrik Jebens 6-3, 6-7 (8-10), 6-3 in 2 hr and 12 min in the first round of the men's doubles. Next up are the 7th seeds — Croatia's Nikola Mektic and Kiwi Michael Venus. Rohan Bopanna and Czech Adam Pavlasek put out Americans Robert Cash and J Tracy 7-6 (8-6), 5-7, 6-1. Rithvik Bollipalli and Colombia's Nicolas Barrientos fell 0-6, 2-6 to Briton Jacob Fearnley and Canada's Gabriel Diallo. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.


India.com
29-05-2025
- India.com
7 Indian Actresses Who Trained Hard In Sports For Movies: Priyanka Chopra, Saiyami Kher To Kangana Ranaut
photoDetails english 2907421 Updated:May 29, 2025, 07:10 AM IST 7 Indian Actresses Who Trained Hard In Sports For Movies: 1 / 8 Many Bollywood actresses have featured in biopics or films based on sports icons and legends. Transforming into physically demanding roles with grit and passion, these leading ladies have also impressed viewers with their finesse. Here's looking at the top 7 actresses who got themselves trained in sports for films. Taapsee Pannu: 2 / 8 The talented actress starred in the biopic based on the life of former Test and ODI captain of the India women's national cricket team, Mithali Raj. The actress trained under Nooshin Al Khadeer, a former cricket player and Mithali Raj's friend. This 2022 film was directed by Srijit Mukherji and produced by Viacom18 Studios. Saiyami Kher: 3 / 8 The powerhouse performer played a paraplegic cricketer in Ghoomer. To get the cricket part right, she trained with former cricketer Murali Kartik. Saiyami played the role of a left-handed cricketer, she wanted a left-handed batsman and bowler to train her, reported Deccan Herald. Ghoomer was written and directed by R Balki. It starred Abhishek Bachchan, Angad Bedi and Shabana Azmi in pivotal roles besides Saiyami Kher. The film was inspired by the story of Karoly Takacs, the late Hungarian right-hand shooter who won two Olympic gold medals with his left hand after his other hand was seriously injured. Radhikka Madan: 4 / 8 In Kachhey Limbu, Radhikka Madan played the role of a cricketer, for which she underwent intense training sessions. To understand the technique, mannerisms, and intricate details of the game, Radhikka Madan underwent proper cricket training to fuse her role with naturalness and honesty. Priyanka Chopra: 5 / 8 Priyanka Chopra brought to life the journey of female boxing champion Mary Kom. The actress performed the boxing sequences herself and did not use a body double. From running, jumping, lifting weights, and doing intense workouts, Priyanka built a body like that of MC Mary Kom in 90 days flat! Parineeti Chopra: 6 / 8 In Saina, Parineeti Chopra captured the journey of the badminton champion Saina Nehwal. To step into the shoes of the Olympian shuttler, she trained herself in badminton for two hours each day and was constantly neck-deep in preparations for the film. Kangana Ranaut: 7 / 8 In Panga, Kangana Ranaut played a National-level Kabaddi player poised for a comeback after giving birth. From understanding the techniques of swift legwork, attack strategies, defence, and learning all the nitty gritties, Kangana ensured to bring authenticity to her role. Fatima Sana Shaikh: 8 / 8 Dangal emerged as a career-defining film for Fatima Sana Shaikh, and she trained extensively for her role in the sports drama. From functional training and kickboxing to watching wrestling videos to understanding the wrestlers' movements and body language, Fatima Sana Shaikh justified her training and execution to the fullest.


Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Alcaraz finds his personal shade of genius
New Delhi: Just a few days ago, the French Open and tennis fans all over the world were transported back to the era of the Big Four; an era when Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray ruled the courts with charm, composure and class. Of the four, only Djokovic is still going strong. The rest have bid adieu to the sport. But we remember their every move mainly because of their consistency. Year after year, week after week, they found a way to excel. The key to that was knowing how to conserve their energy in the first week of the Grand Slam – they would all invariably engage cruise mode. Rarely, if ever, did they falter. Now, if anyone harbours dreams of matching their feats, one can't help but compare. That is where Carlos Alcaraz time and again shows that he is very much his own man. The No.2 seed beat the dangerous Fabian Marozsan 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier in the second round on Wednesday but the manner of his victory was an expression of perhaps his youth. The 22-year-old breezed through the first set in quick time but then found an inspired Marozsán on the other side of the net in the second. The Hungarian upped his level while Alcaraz dipped a bit... just a bit. But that is what makes watching any Alcaraz match such an event – he tends to blow hot, blow cold way more than the Big Four, but when he gets it right, he is a sight to behold. In his on-court interview with Mats Wilander after the win, Alcaraz was asked if he is having fun every time he plays. 'Most of the time (laughs). Sometimes, it's difficult to have fun on the court, you know, I had to suffer. It depends on the opponent as well,' the Spaniard said. 'But most of the time, I'm trying to not think about anything else but enjoying playing, enjoying being on these kind of courts. 'The Philippe-Chatrier is a really beautiful court, so I have to enjoy once I step on the court. Just trying to show good tennis, trying to make the people happy to watch my matches as well. That's the way I enjoy playing tennis.' The showmanship was evident in two shots around the net post, in the way he moved around the court and how he warmed up to the crowd. When the Spaniard is firing on all cylinders, you just have to hope he runs out of fuel. There is no matching him at that point. The 6-1, 6-2 scoreline in the last two sets might lead one to believe that Marozsán played poorly, but it was all Alcaraz – taking the risks and making it work. The fearlessness of his play is a departure from the cold tactical efficiency of the Big Four but it is helping him amass a Grand Slam record others would envy. '(I am) just really proud about refresh(ing) my mind and I started the third set really, really well and ended up playing really great two last sets,' Alcaraz said. 'I didn't feel like I lost the focus at all. He just played much better. So, I just think today I maintain my level during the whole match. But in the second set, he reached just much better level than I did.' Only four players have a better win percentage than Alcaraz (64-12, 84%) in Grand Slams – Bjorn Borg (141–17, 89.2%), Djokovic (383–52, 88%), Nadal (314–44, 87.7%) and Federer (369–60 (86%). It's still early days in his career but one would imagine he would only get better from this point on. For now, though, Alcaraz is aiming to become the first man to successfully defend the title in Paris since Rafael Nadal in 2019-20. He will next play Damir Dzumhur. His 29-2 record on clay since May 2024 doesn't make him as feared as Nadal yet, but it certainly shows that the Alcaraz way is the right one too. And we don't need to tell him that. He knows.