KarlHeinzKarlHeinz StockhausenStockhausen

Born on August 22, 1928 in Mödrath, Born on August 22, 1928 in Mödrath, Germany. Germany.

Orphaned as a teen, he quickly immersed Orphaned as a teen, he quickly immersed himself in music and writing at the Darmstadt himself in music and writing at the Darmstadt school. school.

Found his niche in music, learning piano and Found his niche in music, learning piano and advanced harmony. advanced harmony.

Education and BeyondEducation and Beyond

Stockhausen studied formally at the Stockhausen studied formally at the Colonge Musikhochschule from 1947 to Colonge Musikhochschule from 1947 to 1951. 1951.

Influenced by Olivier Messiaen, Influenced by Olivier Messiaen, Stockhausen composed Kreuzspiel. Stockhausen composed Kreuzspiel.

This was his first long-range serial This was his first long-range serial composition. composition.

ParisParis

Stockhausen ventured to Paris in 1952, Stockhausen ventured to Paris in 1952, where he studied under Messiaen and where he studied under Messiaen and completed his second work, Kontrapunkte.completed his second work, Kontrapunkte.

This work is one of Stockhausen’s This work is one of Stockhausen’s landmark pieces, composed for piano-landmark pieces, composed for piano-based Ensemble.based Ensemble.

Also in 1952, Stockhausen was first Also in 1952, Stockhausen was first introduced to electronic music. introduced to electronic music.

Home AgainHome Again

Stockhausen returned home to Modräth, Stockhausen returned home to Modräth, and worked diligently on synthesizers until and worked diligently on synthesizers until his first major breakthrough in 1956. his first major breakthrough in 1956.

The piece Gesang der Jünglinge, was The piece Gesang der Jünglinge, was composed for choir and synthesizer. composed for choir and synthesizer.

It was one of the first pieces of music to It was one of the first pieces of music to ever use tape loops in its composition. ever use tape loops in its composition.

GruppenGruppen

In 1957 Stockhausen completed his work In 1957 Stockhausen completed his work Gruppen, a composition for 3 orchestras. Gruppen, a composition for 3 orchestras.

The orchestras were conducted by The orchestras were conducted by Stockhausen and two of his Stockhausen and two of his contemporaries, Luciano Berio and Pierre contemporaries, Luciano Berio and Pierre Boulez. Boulez.

Gruppen featured large groups of notes, Gruppen featured large groups of notes, which was much different than most avant-which was much different than most avant-garde at that time. garde at that time.

AmericaAmerica

Stockhausen made his first trip to the Stockhausen made his first trip to the States in 1958. Here he met John Cage. States in 1958. Here he met John Cage. The two exchanged ideas and influenced The two exchanged ideas and influenced each other’s work. each other’s work.

During the next few years Stockhausen’s During the next few years Stockhausen’s music took on a new relaxation and music took on a new relaxation and creative twist. creative twist.

KontakteKontakte

This is a seminal piece in modern music. This is a seminal piece in modern music. Composed for tape loops to be used with, Composed for tape loops to be used with,

or without, piano and percussion. This was or without, piano and percussion. This was the first piece of music to fuse pre-the first piece of music to fuse pre-recorded material and live musicians. recorded material and live musicians.

Kontakte lead the way for improvisers in Kontakte lead the way for improvisers in the free jazz movement, especially the free jazz movement, especially Charles Mingus and Anthony Braxton. Charles Mingus and Anthony Braxton.

SoundscapesSoundscapes

Stockhausen’s next era featured the use of Stockhausen’s next era featured the use of soundscapes and microphone placement. soundscapes and microphone placement. During this era there was very little use of During this era there was very little use of acoustic instruments. acoustic instruments.

Microphones, oscilloscopes, ring modulators and Microphones, oscilloscopes, ring modulators and electronic filters became the preferred medium electronic filters became the preferred medium for his compositions.for his compositions.

Mikrophonie I, the first composition in this style, Mikrophonie I, the first composition in this style, utilizes the infinite possibilities of microphone utilizes the infinite possibilities of microphone placement and improvisation by “musical placement and improvisation by “musical interpreters”. interpreters”.

DarmstadtDarmstadt

In 1967 Stockhausen returned to his alma mater In 1967 Stockhausen returned to his alma mater of Darmstadt to teach composition. of Darmstadt to teach composition.

During this time he did little composing but took During this time he did little composing but took Cornelius Cardew and La Monte Young under his Cornelius Cardew and La Monte Young under his wing as his apprentices. wing as his apprentices.

Pop-culture began to pick up on Stockhausen. Pop-culture began to pick up on Stockhausen. This is seen by his appearance on the Sgt. This is seen by his appearance on the Sgt. Pepper’s album released by the Beatles. Pepper’s album released by the Beatles.

MantraMantra

Completed in 1970 this is Stockhausen’s Completed in 1970 this is Stockhausen’s most dynamic works. most dynamic works.

Features 2 pianos, 2 sine-wave Features 2 pianos, 2 sine-wave generators, and 2 ring modulators. generators, and 2 ring modulators.

This composition reflects his spirituality, This composition reflects his spirituality, and shows how he draws his influence and shows how he draws his influence from all things in life including mysticism, from all things in life including mysticism, astronomy, and nature. astronomy, and nature.

1970 World’s Fair1970 World’s Fair

During the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka, During the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka, Japan, Stockhausen performed over 183 Japan, Stockhausen performed over 183 days worth of music for 5 and a half hours days worth of music for 5 and a half hours a day. a day.

The Japanese built a spherical auditorium The Japanese built a spherical auditorium for the performance. for the performance.

They also commissioned him to write his They also commissioned him to write his magnum opus: Licht. magnum opus: Licht.

Licht (Light)Licht (Light)

Licht is composed in seven parts, each Licht is composed in seven parts, each named after the days of the week. named after the days of the week.

It is an opera commissioned by the It is an opera commissioned by the Japanese Theatre Center. This was done Japanese Theatre Center. This was done after they had seen his performances at after they had seen his performances at the World’s Fair. the World’s Fair.

Licht is composed for a wide array of Licht is composed for a wide array of instruments, choirs, electronic instruments instruments, choirs, electronic instruments and everyday devices. and everyday devices.

Helikopter StreichquartettHelikopter Streichquartett

Most well known piece from Licht. Most well known piece from Licht. Appears in the third act from Mittwoch. Appears in the third act from Mittwoch. Features a string quartet, with each Features a string quartet, with each

member flown individually in a helicopter. member flown individually in a helicopter. The musicians are radio linked together. The musicians are radio linked together. The rise and descent of the helicopters is The rise and descent of the helicopters is

predetermined to help shape the piece. predetermined to help shape the piece.

Most RecentlyMost Recently

Stockhausen has officially completed his Stockhausen has officially completed his work on Licht with his last three pieces set work on Licht with his last three pieces set to premiere in Kürten this year. to premiere in Kürten this year.

Stockhausen resides in Kürten, where he Stockhausen resides in Kürten, where he teaches small groups of musicians. teaches small groups of musicians.

Stockhausen’s son, Marcus, has will be Stockhausen’s son, Marcus, has will be appearing with his father at these appearing with his father at these performances. performances.