Search - Karlheinz Stockhausen, Paul Hillier, Thatre of Voices :: Stockhausen: Stimmung [Hybrid SACD]

Yes, it's a work based on one chord. Deal with it.

Perry Townsend | New York, NY USA | 12/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mr. Young's ignorance is proudly on display for everyone. He uses the words "modern" and "mordernist" in the same condemning way that political conservatives use the word "liberal." Stockhausen was indeed a controversial figure; so were Cage, Partch, Messiaen, Debussy, Wagner and Beethoven. Thank God for all of them. Mr. Young seems to believe that composers should sit quietly and do only what has been done before. The fact that he needs to point out that he doesn't hate ALL modern music speaks volumes. His major criticism seems to be that "Stimmung" is unlike other works Paul Hillier has recorded. Hillier is of course under no obligation to keep himself in a box to please those who find comfort in boxes. This is a fine addition to Hillier's body of work."

I likw the Hyperion (Singcircle) version better, but this is

Pete | North America | 11/01/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Its noce to see another version of this great work of art. I have listened to this one only once. Its well done, but I feel that I like the Hyperion recording of it from a few years ago a bit better. But in any case, Stimmung is a wonderful and unique piece of music that is totally worth checking out. Its a deeply spiritual work that will really stir your soul. The more you listen to the more you get into it."

Not music as we know it, Jim...

Hans | Manila, Philippines | 01/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The only works by Stockhausen that I'm familiair with are Mantra, Gesang der Junglinge and Kontakte, so I'm by no means an expert. And the Theatre of Voices I know mainly through their renditions of works by Arvo Part, so again: not an expert.



Frank Zappa once described the first time he listened to Edgar Varese ("Ionisation", I think it was) as a "sonic experience", a typically astute observation by the great man...And one that also applies to Stimmung, as far as I'm concerned. I think this work is a truly amazing, moving and, dare I say it, spiritual piece of music. Sure, it's not music as we know it, but to describe this as difficult or even abstract is missing the point. This music becomes difficult and abstract, because of preconceptions ("it's Stockhausen, so it must be incredibly hard to understand"). I think it actually pays off to "forget" that this is Stockhausen and to just try and experience it, just like you would experience, say, Mozart or Duke Ellington. Because it IS quite an experience, this "movie for your ears" (to steal another Zappa phrase...).



And the Theatre of Voices? I can't compare with previous renditions of Stimmung, but to my ears, Paul Hillier and his people did a fantastic job. Finally, the whole package is rounded off by a pristine production. Top marks all around!





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