3. KarlHeinz Stockhausen Born on August 22, 1928 in Mödrath, Germany. Born on August 22, 1928 in Mödrath, Germany. Orphaned as a teen, he quickly immersed himself in music and writing at the Darmstadt school. Orphaned as a teen, he quickly immersed himself in music and writing at the Darmstadt school. Found his niche in music, learning piano and advanced harmony. Found his niche in music, learning piano and advanced harmony.

5. Education and Beyond Stockhausen studied formally at the Colonge Musikhochschule from 1947 to 1951. Stockhausen studied formally at the Colonge Musikhochschule from 1947 to 1951. Influenced by Olivier Messiaen, Stockhausen composed Kreuzspiel. Influenced by Olivier Messiaen, Stockhausen composed Kreuzspiel. This was his first long-range serial composition. This was his first long-range serial composition.

7. Paris Stockhausen ventured to Paris in 1952, where he studied under Messiaen and completed his second work, Kontrapunkte. Stockhausen ventured to Paris in 1952, where he studied under Messiaen and completed his second work, Kontrapunkte. This work is one of Stockhausen’s landmark pieces, composed for piano- based Ensemble. This work is one of Stockhausen’s landmark pieces, composed for piano- based Ensemble. Also in 1952, Stockhausen was first introduced to electronic music. Also in 1952, Stockhausen was first introduced to electronic music.

9. Home Again Stockhausen returned home to Modräth, and worked diligently on synthesizers until his first major breakthrough in 1956. Stockhausen returned home to Modräth, and worked diligently on synthesizers until his first major breakthrough in 1956. The piece Gesang der Jünglinge, was composed for choir and synthesizer. The piece Gesang der Jünglinge, was composed for choir and synthesizer. It was one of the first pieces of music to ever use tape loops in its composition. It was one of the first pieces of music to ever use tape loops in its composition.

11. Gruppen In 1957 Stockhausen completed his work Gruppen, a composition for 3 orchestras. In 1957 Stockhausen completed his work Gruppen, a composition for 3 orchestras. The orchestras were conducted by Stockhausen and two of his contemporaries, Luciano Berio and Pierre Boulez. The orchestras were conducted by Stockhausen and two of his contemporaries, Luciano Berio and Pierre Boulez. Gruppen featured large groups of notes, which was much different than most avant- garde at that time. Gruppen featured large groups of notes, which was much different than most avant- garde at that time.

12. America Stockhausen made his first trip to the States in 1958. Here he met John Cage. The two exchanged ideas and influenced each other’s work. Stockhausen made his first trip to the States in 1958. Here he met John Cage. The two exchanged ideas and influenced each other’s work. During the next few years Stockhausen’s music took on a new relaxation and creative twist. During the next few years Stockhausen’s music took on a new relaxation and creative twist.

14. Kontakte This is a seminal piece in modern music. This is a seminal piece in modern music. Composed for tape loops to be used with, or without, piano and percussion. This was the first piece of music to fuse pre- recorded material and live musicians. Composed for tape loops to be used with, or without, piano and percussion. This was the first piece of music to fuse pre- recorded material and live musicians. Kontakte lead the way for improvisers in the free jazz movement, especially Charles Mingus and Anthony Braxton. Kontakte lead the way for improvisers in the free jazz movement, especially Charles Mingus and Anthony Braxton.

16. Soundscapes Stockhausen’s next era featured the use of soundscapes and microphone placement. During this era there was very little use of acoustic instruments. Stockhausen’s next era featured the use of soundscapes and microphone placement. During this era there was very little use of acoustic instruments. Microphones, oscilloscopes, ring modulators and electronic filters became the preferred medium for his compositions. Microphones, oscilloscopes, ring modulators and electronic filters became the preferred medium for his compositions. Mikrophonie I, the first composition in this style, utilizes the infinite possibilities of microphone placement and improvisation by “musical interpreters”. Mikrophonie I, the first composition in this style, utilizes the infinite possibilities of microphone placement and improvisation by “musical interpreters”.

17. Darmstadt In 1967 Stockhausen returned to his alma mater of Darmstadt to teach composition. In 1967 Stockhausen returned to his alma mater of Darmstadt to teach composition. During this time he did little composing but took Cornelius Cardew and La Monte Young under his wing as his apprentices. During this time he did little composing but took Cornelius Cardew and La Monte Young under his wing as his apprentices. Pop-culture began to pick up on Stockhausen. This is seen by his appearance on the Sgt. Pepper’s album released by the Beatles. Pop-culture began to pick up on Stockhausen. This is seen by his appearance on the Sgt. Pepper’s album released by the Beatles.

20. Mantra Completed in 1970 this is Stockhausen’s most dynamic works. Completed in 1970 this is Stockhausen’s most dynamic works. Features 2 pianos, 2 sine-wave generators, and 2 ring modulators. Features 2 pianos, 2 sine-wave generators, and 2 ring modulators. This composition reflects his spirituality, and shows how he draws his influence from all things in life including mysticism, astronomy, and nature. This composition reflects his spirituality, and shows how he draws his influence from all things in life including mysticism, astronomy, and nature.

21. 1970 World’s Fair During the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka, Japan, Stockhausen performed over 183 days worth of music for 5 and a half hours a day. During the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka, Japan, Stockhausen performed over 183 days worth of music for 5 and a half hours a day. The Japanese built a spherical auditorium for the performance. The Japanese built a spherical auditorium for the performance. They also commissioned him to write his magnum opus: Licht. They also commissioned him to write his magnum opus: Licht.

24. Licht (Light) Licht is composed in seven parts, each named after the days of the week. Licht is composed in seven parts, each named after the days of the week. It is an opera commissioned by the Japanese Theatre Center. This was done after they had seen his performances at the World’s Fair. It is an opera commissioned by the Japanese Theatre Center. This was done after they had seen his performances at the World’s Fair. Licht is composed for a wide array of instruments, choirs, electronic instruments and everyday devices. Licht is composed for a wide array of instruments, choirs, electronic instruments and everyday devices.

27. Helikopter Streichquartett Most well known piece from Licht. Most well known piece from Licht. Appears in the third act from Mittwoch. Appears in the third act from Mittwoch. Features a string quartet, with each member flown individually in a helicopter. Features a string quartet, with each member flown individually in a helicopter. The musicians are radio linked together. The musicians are radio linked together. The rise and descent of the helicopters is predetermined to help shape the piece. The rise and descent of the helicopters is predetermined to help shape the piece.

31. Most Recently Stockhausen has officially completed his work on Licht with his last three pieces set to premiere in Kürten this year. Stockhausen has officially completed his work on Licht with his last three pieces set to premiere in Kürten this year. Stockhausen resides in Kürten, where he teaches small groups of musicians. Stockhausen resides in Kürten, where he teaches small groups of musicians. Stockhausen’s son, Marcus, has will be appearing with his father at these performances. Stockhausen’s son, Marcus, has will be appearing with his father at these performances.