Born in 1926 in a Transylvania region that also gave rise to Bartók and Ligeti, the Hungarian composer György Kurtág holds a significant place in the history of 20th-century music. By interweaving personal accounts, musical excerpts and poetic imagery that blurs the line between fiction and reality, Judit Kele offers an illuminating look at the life of a composer whose music is often considered challenging. Ligeti’s insights help clarify the essence of Kurtág’s work: "It is music capable of expressing something in a very brief, concentrated way..." 

In Játékok (Games)—a series of piano pieces for two hands, four hands, and two pianos composed between 1973 and today—Kurtág clearly articulates his unique vision of music. Citing Gregorian chant as an example, he explains that it is possible to create music from almost nothing—virtually without material—simply because something occurs that transforms that nothingness into movement. Refusing to compromise with passing trends, this iconoclast—who defied musical convention—has served as a role model for an entire generation of young Hungarian composers.

A portrait of a very secret man, whose approach may be compared to the one of a scientist. Through his involvement in music, he became a composer, a musician and also a brilliant teacher with great moral and human qualities.

Unlike most traditional musical documentaries, the narration includes fiction sequences so as to make this film accessible for a large audience.

The film also includes interviews of many members of his "musical family" : musicians, composers and his wife and grand-daughter.