Talk:Tierkreis (Stockhausen)

For Children?

The text says that Musik im Bauch was written for an audience of children. Is there a reference for this? I didn't find anything in Texte 4. What about the real performances? Did many children attend? How was it announced? --Joachim Pense (talk) 12:57, 24 December 2009 (UTC)

Hi Joachim, Merry Christmas!

I shall have to look for a source to answer your first question, with specific reference to Musik im Bauch. (Of course, the score introduction for Tierkreis specifically mentions the possibility of children performing the pieces, and the possibility that some notes in the accompaniments may have to be left out if their hands are too small.) As for actual performances, I can only testify to the one given by the Anthos Ensemble last July at the Stockhausen Courses for New Music (some rehearsal photos can be seen here). The concert publicity specifically mentioned the appeal of this piece to very young people, and parents were invited to bring their children not only to the concert, but to a pre-concert talk for children given by one member of the ensemble. I attended the concert, and also observed the introductory talk, which seemed well-designed for the purpose. The children were invited to participate in the discussion, and to give their opinions about what might happen at various points in the composition. Only about 8 children came to the introductory talk, but there were perhaps 15 or 20 at the performance of Musik im Bauch (I don't believe any of them stayed for the second half of the concert, which was Cosmic Pulses). They seemed to enjoy the antics, especially the stiff, robot-like movements of the two marimbaphonists. It was certainly played for comedy, and the performers had received extra coaching on their gestures from Carlos Paz, a dancer and stage director who was involved in the staging of the recent production of Michaels Reise um die Erde that toured Europe last year.—Jerome Kohl (talk) 17:07, 24 December 2009 (UTC)

Reference found, and added to the article. Also found a dissenting opinion.—Jerome Kohl (talk) 23:03, 24 December 2009 (UTC)

Thank you for the very informative answer, and Merry Christmas to you, too! --Joachim Pense (talk) 09:26, 26 December 2009 (UTC)

My pleasure entirely. And my very best wishes to you for a prosperous new year.—Jerome Kohl (talk) 06:20, 27 December 2009 (UTC)