>> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
>> Von: Dave Dawson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> An: [email protected] <[email protected]>
>> Datum: Donnerstag, 18. Januar 2001 05:19 RON
>> Betreff: [313] Karlheinz Stockhausen
>> 
>> 
>> >
>> >Here is a text about Karlheinz Stockhausen.
>> >
>> >This may be slightly off topic. It says in the
>> article that He influenced
>> >kraftwerk among others, so some might find it of
>> interest. Any one heard
>> his
>> >music? Worth seeking out?
>> >
>>


Stockhausen has been a great influence on a lot of people.  His approach 
towards composition and sound construction as well as much of his actual music 
is really inspiring.

I will say though that I think his approach towards sound construction works a 
lot better when he realizes it electronically instead of with traditional 
instruments/voices. (ditto for Xenakis)  As a result, my appreciation for 
Stockhausen is mostly with regard to his electronic output, which, though only 
a small portion of his total work, is of consistently high quality.

My all time favorite Stockhausen piece is "Hymnen", which was dense masses of 
sound into which was incorporated national anthems, shortwave radio sounds, 
choral effects and "found voices".  The whole piece flows excellently and is a 
journey through a very wide range of moods, sounds and techniques while 
remaining very focused, coherent and composed.

His music is decidedly experimental, though.  No beats, overt rhythms or 
melodies, at least not in any conventional sense, though "Hymnen" does have an 
obliquely consonant feel to it and has a very palpable sense of momentum. His 
music can also shift on you quite suddenly with sounds or voices suddenly, and 
sometimes loudly, coming out of the mix at you.  

i wouldn't call it "scary" music, but it isn't ambient "mood" music designed to 
be played in the background and ignored. the music is composed and sounds best 
(and reveals the most) when you actively engage in it.

if you're interested in exploring his electronic works, I'd suggest checking 
out:

Hymnen
Gesang der Junglinge
Kontakte
Telemusik
Mixture
Mikrophonie I & II

They were all released on Duetsche Grammophon on LP and have been rereleased on 
CD recently, though the prices on the releases are obscenely high.

If you have a good public library nearby, I'd suggest stopping my the classical 
music dept. first and seeing if they have the LPs available for listening.

Have fun!

cc

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