György Ligeti

Kubrick used Ligeti's music in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), most notably 'Atmosphères' and the 'Requiem,' as well as in The Shining (1980) and Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Ligeti initially was not asked for permission for 2001 and later reached a settlement with the studio.

Micropolyphony is a compositional technique Ligeti developed in which many closely spaced voices move independently, creating dense clouds of sound. Works like 'Atmosphères' (1961) and 'Lontano' (1967) use this technique to produce sustained, slowly shifting textures.

Ligeti wrote 'Poème symphonique' (1962) for 100 metronomes, which are wound up and allowed to run down simultaneously. The piece was controversial and has been performed relatively few times due to its unconventional requirements.

Ligeti composed three books of piano Études between 1985 and 2001, now considered among the most important piano works of the late 20th century. They are technically demanding and draw influences from African polyrhythm, jazz, and the music of Frédéric Chopin.