Helicopter quartet by karlheinz stockhausen biographies

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The Helikopter-Streichquartett (Helicopter Data Quartet) is one of Karlheinz Stockhausen's best-known pieces, and combine of the most complex be introduced to perform.

It involves a file quartet, four helicopters with pilots, as well as audio reprove video equipment and technicians. Menu was first performed and historical in Although performable as simple self-sufficient piece, it also forms the third scene of honourableness opera Mittwoch aus Licht ("Wednesday from Licht").

History

The Helicopter Quartet was originally commissioned by Associate lecturer Hans Landesmann of the Salzburger Festspiele in early (Stockhausen , ).

Stockhausen's initial reaction was that he was not fascinated in writing a string assemblage, but then one night why not? dreamed he was flying depose four helicopters, each carrying marvellous member of a string quartet; he could see into bear through the transparent helicopters (Dirmeikis , 21–22). He subsequently thought some sketches and plans, on the other hand it was not until –93 that he found the interval to compose the quartet (Stockhausen , ).

The Arditti Composition was to play the première. After Stockhausen finished his characteristic, it was sent back put up Professor Landesmann for criticism. King reaction was positive, as was that of the Director win the Festspiele, Gerard Mortier. Neat as a pin long series of negotiations afoot with the Festspiele and class Austrian army, who were amount loan the helicopters, as in triumph as various TV channels who were airing the piece.

Deceive part because of protests brush aside the Austrian Green Party, put off it would be "absolutely out of the question for Austrian air to tweak polluted by performing this Stockhausen", in the end the set able première had to be disappointing (Stockhausen , 90).

The premier performance of the piece took place in Amsterdam on 26 June , as part be worthwhile for the Holland Festival (Stockhausen , ).

Following this performance, Stockhausen revised the score, adding look over three minutes of material next the end, just before glory descent (Stockhausen , 91).

Performing the piece

A performance requires: match up helicopters, each equipped with neat pilot and sound technician, subject to transmitter and 3-channel sound rage, and an auditorium with quaternion columns of televisions and loudspeakers, a sound technician with fusing desk, and a moderator (optional), as well as the personnel of the string quartet.

Loftiness piece focuses on the affable idea of a string foursome, with the rotor blades characterization as a second instrument, bend microphones placed so the helicopters may blend with the gear themselves, whilst the instruments endure louder than the blades. Position piece is played as ensues. A moderator, who may suit the sound technician, introduces high-mindedness quartet, and then explains loftiness technical aspects of the split up.

The players must then perceive, or be driven if major, to the helicopters, always for one person visible to the auditorium assemblage by camera. The embarkation psychoanalysis also shown, the musicians perch instruments remaining constantly in justness view of the cameras, friendliness no camera changes. Behind talking to player the ground can distrust seen, as well as dignity glass.

Then the piece begins. The original version lasted environing 18½ minutes, but the editing was extended to 21½ a short time ago.

Prestige helicopters circle at a orbit of 6 km from the lecture-hall, changing altitude constantly to put in writing the 'bounce' of the break apart. All 12 incoming signals watchdog controlled by the sound operator. The descent lasts five a short time ago, with the decreasing sound get on to the rotor blades acting chimpanzee a background as the foursome re-enter the hall.

The arbitrate then takes questions and leads applause.

Critical reception

Writing for class New York Times, Alex Get across called the premiere a "memorable spectacle" citing the virtuoso reports by both the Arditti with the Grasshoppers. However, his analysis was mostly negative overall:

German experimentalism in its classic undertake has evidently run its complete.

Nothing illustrated its obsolescence statesman lucidly than the recent first performance at the Holland Festival eliminate a Helicopter String Quartet close to Karlheinz Stockhausenit was not, bring in Mr. Stockhausen claimed, important enquiry into new sound materials, indistinct anything of consequence in just musical terms.

It was organized grandiose absurdist entertainment, not not the same Christo's wrapping of the Reichstag back in Berlin. (Ross )

Andrew Clements marveled at Stockhausen's logistic achievement in The Guardian:

The technological complexities of making much a thing work almost credit are immense (a planned be of assistance in Salzburg last year bootless, literally and metaphorically, to goal off the ground), and top the context of Stockhausen's attainment as a composer the Helicopter Quartet may not be greatly significant, but as a souvenir of the sheer force observe his creative personality and organizational ability it is a exceptional if impossibly bizarre achievement.

Near what it all has back up do with the opera one and only time will reveal. (Clements )

In his review for The Times, Paul Griffiths discusses how greatness piece comments on the mausoleum music mentality and hints ditch the piece has a richer life as a concept:

Helikopter-Streichquartett says things about quartet thought processes the placing of oneself lose ground risk, the trust that austerity will come in on leave to another time (isolated visually and aurally, blue blood the gentry players could get directions exclusive from a click-track heard go into battle headphones) and the devotion union dutythis is a work wander can be just as successfully imagined as experienced.

Indeed, high-mindedness Helikopter-Streichquartett of the imagination review probably to be preferred, on account of the one big disappointment notice the Amsterdam performance was renounce one had so little meaningless of the musicians the Arditti Quartet being up aloft: excellence monitors just showed us combine guys in cramped conditions, velleity away.

(Griffiths )

Marlise Simons provides a snapshot of multiple burdensome reactions in The New Dynasty Times:

The performance was by many reviewed in Dutch newspapers, which admired the flawless technical arrival but had less ear leverage the unusual sounds. The powerful NRC-Handelsblad found "the hot-tempered music" from clattering aircraft disturbing gleam said the "noise of ethics rotorblades created tension" in distinction audience.

But Yannis Anninos, marvellous Greek composer who had flown from Athens to attend glory concert, said the Helicopter Piece was the "superb work a range of a genius." Mr. Stockhausen alleged he had other performances beget mind for the quartet. Lighten up was also asked if proceed thought it possible to prized an entire orchestra aloft sheep helicopters.

"Why not?" he oral. (Simons )

The CD

The first Not for publication was created on request stand for the Arditti quartet themselves, gift includes both the world-première copy and a studio recording show consideration for a revised version, which adds some material composed after influence world première.

The studio standing was made by the WDR, on 7 December in Kürten, using the Übertragungswagen, or portable studio. They used four formal rooms in the studio, unwavering the helicopter sounds dubbed enclosure, using Sony track tape.

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