Karlheinz Stockhausen has died at the age of 79.
Doh, I was hoping that his mad large composition projects would've kept him going for a fair while. RIP.
Sad, and rather unexpected: other than Boulez he seemed to be the most vigorous of all the composers of that generation.
I am shocked - I wasn't expecting this. It seems epochal, somehow - it leaves only Boulez of those high-profile radical figures born in the 20s (Xenakis gone, Ligeti gone, Berio and Nono gone...).
God rest his soul.
This was indeed rather unexpected; when I saw him last, in summer 2006, he was in fantastic shape. The compositions that I have heard from his new cycle Klang (Sound), started in 2004, are all of the highest quality, and he seemed bound to go on composing for a long time.
I will miss him, but I will always treasure his music.
Here's a short article:
Composer Stockhausen dies aged 79
Obituary: Karlheinz Stockhausen
David Batty and agencies
Friday December 7, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Karlheinz Stockhausen, one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, has died at the age of 79, it was announced today. The German composer, best known for his groundbreaking work in electronic music, died on Wednesday at his home in Kuerten-Kettenberg. He will be buried in the forest cemetery in Kuerten, according to the Stockhausen Foundation.
Stockhausen, who was born in the village of Modrath, near Cologne, in 1928, studied at the National Conservatory of Music and the University of Cologne. He composed 319 individual works over his lifetime, according to his official website.
The composer's widespread use of electronics throughout his work has had a significant impact on classical, avant-garde and electronic music.
His breakthrough came in 1956, with the release of Gesang der Junglinge (Song of the Youths), which blended electronic sounds with the human voice.
Four years later, he released Kontakte (Contacts), one of the first compositions to mix live instrumentation with pre-recorded material.
A wide range of musicians, including Miles Davis, Frank Zappa and Bjork, have cited him as an influence.
Stockhausen was married twice and had six children.
Quote from: lukeottevanger on December 07, 2007, 09:46:52 AM
It seems epochal, somehow - it leaves only Boulez of those high-profile radical figures born in the 20s (Xenakis gone, Ligeti gone, Berio and Nono gone...).
And of them all, he's the only one to appear on the cover of a Beatles album 8)
I just heard on Radio 3 that he actually died on Wednesday but that the news wasnt released until today.
Perhaps this would be an appropriate moment to supply suggested listening for this composer - I have heard almost nothing of his, and the sheer scale of works in utterly unconventional styles and ensembles makes it daunting to know where to start.
Quote from: Guido on December 07, 2007, 11:43:33 AM
Perhaps this would be an appropriate moment to supply suggested listening for this composer - I have heard almost nothing of his, and the sheer scale of works in utterly unconventional styles and ensembles makes it daunting to know where to start.
I think the answer to that, unfortunately, is pretty much "anything you can get hold of." So little of his music is available through anywhere other than stockhausen.org that it's not always easy to select. Here's a few I'd say show the composer at something near his best.
Gruppen is probably the most impressive work from his early period. The Abbado recording is disappointing, and I'd suggest this BMC recording as an alternative:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41MZ39Z3Q2L._SS400_.jpg)
Stimmung's perhaps the most radically minimal of Stockhausen's works: the original Hyperion recording is still available, as is a new one from Paul Hillier's
Theatre of Voices:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41G3FZJGGYL._SS500_.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ho9jjTwOL._SS500_.jpg)
The earlier
Klavierstucke are remarkable, dynamic pieces and
Mikrophonie I and II are fascinating explorations of sound.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SEWKGQFPL._SS500_.jpg)
Little of his
Licht-era work has appeared on labels with wide distribution, but this has and is a good summary of his later style:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41czwTDz8AL._SS500_.jpg)
Good rid..., erm. Yeah, not exactly a fan.
And from the BBC web-site:
"But he was not universally popular. The conductor Sir Thomas Beecham was once asked whether he had conducted any Stockhausen. He replied: "No, but I once trod in some."
(http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/Smileys/christmas/lmao.gif)
Quote from: Josquin des Prez on December 07, 2007, 01:24:49 PM
Good rid..., erm. Yeah, not exactly a fan.
Me neither...... still, somehow, a bummer.....
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5idBKki5GZhppC5ce8we20_x3IJpg
i found out an interesting way...... viewing Penderecki's myspace page, since "he" put up new music, some guy posted a comment "Goodbye to Stockhausen", so i searched his name and found the article.
if Penderecki is next........ i'll pretend he never died. :)
Quote from: Josquin des Prez on December 07, 2007, 01:24:49 PM
Good rid..., erm. Yeah, not exactly a fan.
Thank you for your valuable, tasteful, compassionate contribution to this thread. Perhaps we could have a whip-round so that you can pop over to Germany and shit on his grave while you're at it.
Quote from: Peregrine on December 07, 2007, 01:28:11 PM
And from the BBC web-site:
"But he was not universally popular. The conductor Sir Thomas Beecham was once asked whether he had conducted any Stockhausen. He replied: "No, but I once trod in some."
(http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/Smileys/christmas/lmao.gif)
I laughed at that joke when I first heard it (in the early '80s, a decade or two after Beecham originally cracked it) and I'm sure I'll chuckle over it again, even while listening to such astounding masterworks as
Gruppen,
Carré and
Momente. But I suppose that it's a big ask to hope that people might show a bit of respect today of all days, or that they might at least wait until Stockhausen has been buried before they start rehashing tired old jokes about him.
Quote from: MDL on December 07, 2007, 02:58:59 PM
Thank you for your valuable, tasteful, compassionate contribution to this thread.
I do my best.
Good recommendations, Edward. I like that particular Gruppen/Punkte disc a lot.
I am very much saddened by this news. I will spend some time today listening to his music.
Suggested listening include Stimmung, Gruppen, Carre as recommended earlier, as well as Inori, which I love. Come to think of it, Inori is probably the most appropriate of the ones mentioned above at this moment.
Gruppen conducted by Eötvös is definitely better than the one by Abbado, but the GM Abbado disc has also György Kurtág's Grabstein für Stephan.
Hans Werner Hanze is not quite as well known as Stockhausen, but he is still alive, though not in the best of health. Kurtág is still alive, as far as I know.
Karlheinz Stockhausen, Pivotal German Composer, Dies at Age 79
By Mark Beech and Mark Schoifet
Dec. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Karlheinz Stockhausen, the avant-garde German composer who influenced pop musicians from the Beatles to Bjork, has died aged 79, his Web site reported today.
Stockhausen died Dec. 5 at his home in Kuerten-Kettenberg, the Web site said. His electronic music and ``controlled chance'' sounds led to new styles of computerized and sampled compositions.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon of the Beatles were Stockhausen fans, and the group honored the composer by using his image on the cover of its 1967 album, ``Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.'' The single ``Strawberry Fields Forever'' showed Stockhausen's influence.
He inspired some of the music by Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Miles Davis and Brian Eno. His groundbreaking electronic beats found echoes in long compositions by Can, Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream in the 1970s. Of classical composers, Igor Stravinsky was an admirer, though not an uncritical one. Stockhausen's music was compared to Arnold Schoenberg and Oliver Messiaen before him. He went on with Pierre Boulez to offer a vision of the future.
Stockhausen was seen by some as the greatest German composer since Wagner. To others, his music was empty and devoid of merit. Conductor Thomas Beecham was asked, ``Have you heard any Stockhausen,'' and said, ``No, but I believe I have trodden in some.''
Stockhausen, who was born in 1928 in the village of Moedrath, near Cologne, studied at the National Conservatory of Music and the University of Cologne. He composed 319 individual works during his life, according to his official Web site.
Breakthrough Song
His breakthrough came in 1956, with the release of ``Gesang der Junglinge'' (Song of the Youths), which combined electronic sounds with the human voice, the Guardian newspaper said.
In 1960, he released ``Kontakte'' (Contacts), one of the first compositions to mix live instrumentation with prerecorded material.
He ran into trouble after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks when he was reported to have said the incidents were ``works of art.'' The composer later put out a statement saying his remarks had been taken out of context and misinterpreted.
Stockhausen, who was married twice and had six children, will be buried in the Waldfriedhof (forest cemetery) in Kuerten. A commemorative concert will take place at the Suelztalhalle in Kuerten.
To contact the reporters on this story: Mark Beech in London at mbeech@bloomberg.net ; Mark Schoifet in New York at mschoifet@bloomberg.net .
Last Updated: December 7, 2007 19:12 EST
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=a1TZKK4_l8zU&refer=muse
Quote from: MDL on December 07, 2007, 03:31:17 PM
I laughed at that joke when I first heard it (in the early '80s, a decade or two after Beecham originally cracked it) and I'm sure I'll chuckle over it again, even while listening to such astounding masterworks as Gruppen, Carré and Momente. But I suppose that it's a big ask to hope that people might show a bit of respect today of all days, or that they might at least wait until Stockhausen is buried before they start rehashing tired old jokes about him.
Lighten up, FFS...
::)
Quote from: Peregrine on December 07, 2007, 11:52:18 PM
How charming...
Yes, I'd like to apologise to everyone for being such a potty mouth. Everyone but JdP, that is, who had it coming.
Quote from: MDL on December 08, 2007, 12:16:52 AM
potty mouth
;D
No worries, I've got an awful 'potty mouth' at times!
I meant no offence with the Beecham quip, sorry if it was taken that way...
Quote from: Peregrine on December 08, 2007, 12:27:00 AM
;D
No worries, I've got an awful 'potty mouth' at times!
I meant no offence with the Beecham quip, sorry if it was taken that way...
I was shocked and a bit upset last night. I don't normally fly off the handle like that. I'm going to delete my offending post; not because I regret it, but I know that the moderators have, in the past, taken offence at the word "turd" and it'll only be a matter of time before somebody objects to C U Next Tuesday.
I love his Gruppen. There is a good version by Abbado.
But works like Sirius or Stimmung are among the most boring (and irritating) things I ever heard.
Quote from: MDL on December 07, 2007, 09:26:20 AM
Karlheinz Stockhausen has died at the age of 79.
I just ordered 5 new discs from the Verlag last week and included a brief note wishing the Maestro continued good health -- alas, it was not in the cards. (
Freude,
Himmelfahrt,
Cosmic Pulses,
Europa-Gruss etc.,
Sonntag-Abschied, in case you're curious.) This is a great loss for the world of music; no doubt in the Heaven Stockhausen wrote so much about, the angel Israfel, master of all music, has suddenly found himself with serious competition.
Non-Verlag releases I'd highly recommend would be:
Gruppen/Punkte conducted by Eotvos
Mantra (good recording on New Albion)
Stimmung (the new Theater of Voices recording)
Michaels Reise, solisten version (on ECM)
the disc by bassoonist Knut Sonstevold,
Sonstevold plays Stockhausen:
Solo, In Friendship, etc.
Quote from: uffeviking on December 07, 2007, 05:31:00 PM
Hans Werner Hanze is not quite as well known as Stockhausen, but he is still alive, though not in the best of health. Kurtág is still alive, as far as I know.
He's written 10 Symphonies, what should we expect? ;D
Quote from: val on December 08, 2007, 01:38:32 AM
I love his Gruppen. There is a good version by Abbado.
But works like Sirius or Stimmung are among the most boring (and irritating) things I ever heard.
lol, looks like someone has the same exact feelings towards Stockhausen as i do (and i've mentioned this before)
Quote from: gomro on December 08, 2007, 02:46:09 AM
I just ordered 5 new discs from the Verlag last week and included a brief note wishing the Maestro continued good health -- alas, it was not in the cards. (Freude, Himmelfahrt, Cosmic Pulses, Europa-Gruss etc., Sonntag-Abschied, in case you're curious.)
I don't know
Cosmic Pulses yet, but the other four discs are excellent.
Himmelfahrt (2004/05) in particular (but this may be said of other compositions on these discs too) is not just an supremely accomplished composition, but also of an originality that stands on a significantly higher level than that of almost all other contemporary compositions*) that I've heard, regardless how much I may admire them.
*) let's say, of the last 25 years
Listening to Gesang der Jünglinge as I type. Ah, we'll all miss him--even those who scorned his music. :-\
I had not realized that Stockhausen believed in God so strongly--although I should have "divined" it from the text he chose to set for Gesang der Jünglinge, the apocryphal Song of The Three (that is, of the three Hebrew youths in Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace--see Daniel, chapter 3). [jochanaan steps on soapbox] It just goes to show that one can be a Christian and also a major radical artist. [/soapbox] :)
Quote from: jochanaan on December 08, 2007, 02:43:52 PM
Listening to Gesang der Jünglinge as I type. Ah, we'll all miss him--even those who scorned his music. :-\
I had not realized that Stockhausen believed in God so strongly--although I should have "divined" it from the text he chose to set for Gesang der Jünglinge, the apocryphal Song of The Three (that is, of the three Hebrew youths in Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace--see Daniel, chapter 3). [jochanaan steps on soapbox] It just goes to show that one can be a Christian and also a major radical artist. [/soapbox] :)
Stockhausen... a Christian? Wait....... the guy who thinks he's from Sirus?
(i mean, the guy who is totally serial about being from Sirius, not in the same way i claim to be from Antarctica)
anyways....... what did he die from? "Old Age"? lol seriously, the article i read didn't even mention the cause..... probably just had to return to his home planet, eh?
Most obituaries don't mention cause of death.
Quote from: val on December 08, 2007, 01:38:32 AM
I love his Gruppen. There is a good version by Abbado.
But works like Sirius or Stimmung are among the most boring (and irritating) things I ever heard.
You've got a point. Stockhausen's later works are often extremely long and rather weird, and you have to sort of surrender yourself to them. The first few times I heard
Inori, it drove me mad. I still haven't fully given myself up to
Stimmung or
Sternklang. But I loved the loopy
Sirius. And I remember listening to, and taping, the Radio 3 broadcast of
Donnerstag aus Licht back in 1978/1979/1980 or whenever it was, and I was utterly spellbound for four hours or so. I recently played
Inori and loved every moment of it.
For those new to Stockhausen,
Gruppen, Carré, Punkte, Momente, Mikrophonie II and
Trans are more immediately exciting. They are probably his masterpieces, too. But his later, longer epics are worth exploring. By the way, if you want to hear
Gruppen, the DG/Verlag or DMC recordings are better than the Abbado/DG recording.
Quote from: Corey on December 08, 2007, 03:42:41 PM
Most obituaries don't mention cause of death.
but aren't you a bit skeptical? If no explanation is given, why shouldn't we believe that the aliens took him away?
I absolutely loathe Stockhausen's music but any composer/artist or indeed anyone at all who dies deserves to be remembered for their contributions and achievements and their families are entitled to our sympathy.
Stockhausen was-apparently-an inspiring teacher and lecturer. He devoted his life to his art and even if I am totally unable to comprehend or to appreciate that art I am equally aware that others are more fortunate than myself.
RIP as the thread says!!
Sad news indeed, and unexpected too. I thought he was in good health, and ready for 80th birthday celebrations next year with the complete staging of Licht...
I'll have to get to know his music better; at the moment I know very little - only Gesang der Jünglinge. That ECM disc looks very good, I might have to get it.
RIP Stockhausen.
Quote from: jochanaan on December 08, 2007, 02:43:52 PMone can be a Christian and also a major radical artist.
Yep! Wuorinen is another good example.
Very unexpected news. I don't know Stockhausen's music well, but I was sorry for Al, because I know Stockhausen means a lot to him. He (Stockhausen) was one of those figures I always heard about, and for that reason, I assumed he'd go on forever.
I went back this weekend and listened to some early music --- Gruppen and Kontatke. Very good stuff,consistently engaging, well constructed, full of action and interesting sonorities. I need to hear more. The later music seems different, more new age-y, if I can trust the postings here. (And of dourse I can.) I would like to explore it, though.
Quote from: Dundonnell on December 08, 2007, 09:15:09 PM
I absolutely loathe Stockhausen's music but any composer/artist or indeed anyone at all who dies deserves to be remembered for their contributions and achievements and their families are entitled to our sympathy.
Stockhausen was-apparently-an inspiring teacher and lecturer. He devoted his life to his art and even if I am totally unable to comprehend or to appreciate that art I am equally aware that others are more fortunate than myself.
RIP as the thread says!!
It is heartwarming to read a post from somebody who hates Stockhausen's music but is still generous enough to not use his death as an excuse to insult his achievements or his admirers. Thanks, Dundonnell. I hope that one day, you will be able to appreciate the wonders of
Carré, Momente and
Gruppen, but if you can't, don't beat yourself up about it. I can't get on with the operas of Verdi or Mozart, and although I love
Salome and
Elektra, Strauss's
Rosenkavalier leaves me cold. We all have our blind spots. As long as we don't say "good riddance" when a respected musician dies, we can agree to differ. You're a gentleman. Josquin des Prez is an arsehole.
Quote from: MDL on December 09, 2007, 12:57:17 PM
It is heartwarming to read a post from somebody who hates Stockhausen's music but is still generous enough to not use his death as an excuse to insult his achievements or his admirers.
Ok ok perhaps lashing at Stockhausen himself was a bit tasteless from my part, though i loath almost everything he represents. That said, i am now going to attack his admirers. ;D
I have a better idea, Josquin: Don't attack anybody! This is a classical music station with the aim to discuss in a polite and civilised manner. Try it, you might like it!
$:)
Quote from: Josquin des Prez on December 09, 2007, 07:56:14 PM
Ok ok perhaps lashing at Stockhausen himself was a bit tasteless from my part, though i loath almost everything he represents. That said, i am now going to attack his admirers. ;D
Go ahead, then.
But for people like Stockhausen (along with Webern, Pierre Schaeffer, Nono, Berio, Berlioz, Cage, usw) music would have stuck with the wearysome dross of the 1850s-1950s. At least these pioneers DID something, carving a path for younger composers who, now the fuss has settled down, are composing as they choose, freed from traditional academic chains. Genre no longer matters: romantic, programmatic, neo-classical, serial, tonal, atonal....or mix and match(?); electonic, acoustic or both. I don't like too much of his music but I'm prepared to acknowledge a debt.
RIP Stockhausen.
Stravinsky wearisome dross? I don't think so.
Quote from: Anacho on December 10, 2007, 07:25:34 AM
But for people like Stockhausen (along with Webern, Pierre Schaeffer, Nono, Berio, Berlioz, Cage, usw) music would have stuck with the wearysome dross of the 1850s-1950s.
Cool typo (italicised)!
Quote from: Anacho on December 10, 2007, 07:25:34 AM
the wearysome dross of the 1850s-1950s.
From the time frame I infer you mean
Schoenberg (1874-1951),
Webern (1883-1945) and
Berg (1885-1935).
May
Stockhausen rest in peace.
Quote from: Florestan on December 11, 2007, 02:02:45 AM
May Stockhausen rest in peace.
I wish that to most....people.
I would do my best to avoid the music he produced however, for I never could in any way connect to what he did.
That is my loss I am sure........
He is too experimental for me, that's all.
Quote from: Anacho on December 10, 2007, 07:25:34 AM
At least these pioneers DID something
Pioneering in itself has no value, let alone being the only justification for art. And lumping Webern, a genius, along side some of those poseurs and wannabes, what dross!
Quote from: Anacho on December 10, 2007, 07:25:34 AM
Genre no longer matters
As if they ever did. Just because it isn't anarchy doesn't mean it's not freedom. May I point out those genres and definitions were given at posteriori?
Quote from: Josquin des Prez on December 11, 2007, 04:56:24 PM
Pioneering in itself has no value, let alone being the only justification for art.
I won't take you to task over that. It would end up sophistry and word play, be assured. For pioneers to be acknowldeged their work will have had an impact on their future. Most people know what my statement meant most of the time. Did you want a list of those younger composers I mentioned? It would go into several pages, mostly unrecorded but you can find a few in the lists of the spnm if you want.
QuoteAnd lumping Webern, a genius, along side some of those poseurs and wannabes, what dross!
Unfortunately the first volume of Stockhausen's periodical Die Reihe is dedicated to Webern. It's called "Anton Webern" who was considered the base of total serialism though, of course, they admitted later (round about vol 6 if I remember rightly - I may be wrong, my mind doesn't hold the index) that the basis of serialism was detected in Debussy.
QuoteAs if they ever did. Just because it isn't anarchy doesn't mean it's not freedom. May I point out those genres and definitions were given at posteriori?
Of course you may and you can argue the size of the fullstops, the dotting of Ts and the crossing of Is if you want but again, I reckon most people know what I mean.
Quote from: Anacho on December 12, 2007, 12:41:12 AM
It would end up sophistry and word play, be assured.
Isn't that what avant-garde is all about, anyway?
Quote from: Anacho on December 12, 2007, 12:41:12 AM
For pioneers to be acknowldeged their work will have had an impact on their future.
Da da, i think we heard enough about the 'future'. The mantra of progressivism is really showing the hollowness of it's rhetoric if the sole purpose of art is to reach the unborn (and then act surprised when the children of the future refuse to listen).
Quote from: Anacho on December 12, 2007, 12:41:12 AM
Did you want a list of those younger composers I mentioned? It would go into several pages, mostly unrecorded but you can find a few in the lists of the spnm if you want.
Please, don't.
Quote from: Anacho on December 12, 2007, 12:41:12 AM
Unfortunately the first volume of Stockhausen's periodical Die Reihe is dedicated to Webern. It's called "Anton Webern" who was considered the base of total serialism though, of course, they admitted later (round about vol 6 if I remember rightly - I may be wrong, my mind doesn't hold the index) that the basis of serialism was detected in Debussy.
And of course, 'serialism' is the only reason to bother with those composers, everything else being dross (well, except for Berlioz). Avast comrades, we must destroy the present in order to built a new future! Utopia awaits.
Quote from: Anacho on December 12, 2007, 12:41:12 AM
Of course you may and you can argue the size of the fullstops, the dotting of Ts and the crossing of Is if you want
Or rather, we could talk about music.
Fine. I posted to pay respect and wish the man well on what happens next for him. Put in a good word for his work. If you want to talk about his works (assuming I know them), happy to oblige.
'pon my soul - 0'35" is a seriously short version of Kontakte.
Thanks for this info. These are programme changes. Hear and Now was on my list, not the music matters.