Stockhausen – a Festival of LIGHT
Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Kraftwerk, Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Bjork – None of them (and many many more) would be the same if it hadn’t been for Karlheinz Stockhausen. The controversial and ground-breaking composer who passed away in 2007 will be celebrated this month at Stockhausen – a Festival of LIGHT at Birmingham University, Birmingham Conservatoire and mac.
The festival from 19 – 21 August will include talks by experts from round the world but also see many musicians performing:
Modified Stockhausen, at mac on Monday 20 August will include performances from musicians influenced by the pioneering composer, including Modified Toy Orchestra playing new material on their souped-up versions of children’s toys. Birmingham-based experimental electronic collective Ostrich Box and Raffertie (on Ninja Tune) will also perform. Dick Witts, music historian and member of post-punk The Passage starts the evening with his take on the links between the composer’s work and leftfield electronic music.
The festival will also give people to chance to have a sneak preview of Birmingham Opera Company‘s production of Stockhausen‘s Mittwoch aus Licht. The main shows are now sold out so the exclusive visit to the opera’s dress rehearsal is now your only chance to get a peak at the performance. Birmingham is hosting the world premiere of the opera. It has never been performed before in its entirety as it is so complicated. Not only are there two choirs and solo instrumentalists involved but a dancing camel… and a helicopter string quartet…with real helicopters…
More information can be found here.
