Re: Stockhausen

[chrisrover <chrisrover@aol.com>]

Just a personal note:
Stockhausen premiered some of his works in my hometown Leipzig.
Not everyone liked it as you might expect. Some people felt they had to 
leave for important business during intermission ;-) but not many. I 
thought it was very interesting and enjoyed it.
Among other features he had placed a surround sound set up at the opera 
house which provided for a truly unique concert experience. I had the 
opportunity to talk to him for a couple of minutes after the premiere 
(he was fiddling with the mixing console for another 10 Minutes after 
the concert) and remember him as a very generous and friendly person.
His 9/11 comments sparked criticism everywhere, especially in Germany. I 
understand why they were interpreted as thoughtless by many. In his 
artistic/spiritual view of the world they may have made sense. He never 
endorsed violence. There are much worse offenders.
Many composers have drawn part of their inspiration from religion, 
theories, books or various other sources. Igor Stravinsky, John Cage, 
Beethoven come to mind quickly or even another guy who premiered 
regulary in Leipzig - Johann Sebastian Bach.
Stockhausen was a man with a vision. He did a lot for new music in 
Germany and worldwide  and he made ze djermans a bit hipper :-) Thank 
you Karl-Heinz !


www.christianrover.com