Professor Karlheinz Stockhausen
51515 Kürten
GERMANY
Message from Professor Karlheinz Stockhausen
After returning from Hamburg I find false, defamatory reports in the press.
I am as dismayed as everyone else about the attacks in America.
At the press conference in Hamburg, I was asked if MICHAEL, EVE and LUCIFER were historical figures of the past and I answered that they exist now, for example Lucifer in New York.
In my work, I have defined Lucifer as the cosmic spirit of rebellion, of anarchy. He uses his high degree of intelligence to destroy creation. He does not know love.
After further questions about the events in America, I said that such a plan appeared to be Lucifer's greatest work of art. Of course I used the designation "work of art" to mean the work of destruction personified in Lucifer. In the context of my other comments this was unequivocal.
I cannot find a fitting name for such a "satanic composition". In my case, it was not and is not my intention to hurt anyone. Since the beginning of the attack onward I have felt solidarity with all of the human beings mourning this atrocity.
Not for one moment have I thought or felt the way my words are now being interpreted in the press.
The journalist in Hamburg completely ripped my statements out of a context, which he had not recorded in its entirety, to use it as a vile attack against my person and the Hamburg Music Festival.
This whole situation is regrettable and I am deeply sorry if my remarks were misconstrued to offend the grieving families of the brutal terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. I will continue to keep the victims of this outrage in my prayers
Karlheinz Stockhausen
September 19, 2001
Statement by Webmaster
Stockhausen's comments during the Hamburg interview were delivered in the context of a metaphoric line of questioning. He provided an allegorical answer to an allegorical question.
Anyone who knows Stockhausen can tell you that he is a compassionate and thoughtful person. The journalist who spewed forth this unconscionable poison should immediately retract his untruthful reporting and publish an apology to Stockhausen.
I live in the USA and we are doing our best with God's help to get through this cowardly and hateful attack on our nation by terrorists.
I also serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of a Fire Protection District. I personally am acquainted with heroic fire fighters from our area who are tirelessly laboring at Ground Zero in NYC. As a loyal and patriotic American, I can tell you that Karlheinz Stockhausen is not the kind of man to condone terrorism in ANY form.
On September 13 Kathinka Pasveer sent me a thoughtful fax from Karlheinz, Suzee Stephens (who is American) and herself that said "We all follow the tragedy in the USA and pray for you all. So terrible."
The reporter who wrote this rubbish for the sake of his own financial and professional gain should be condemned by the public for his sensational lies and promptly fired by his employer.
James Stonebraker, Webmaster
St. Louis, Missouri USA
September 19, 2001
― dan bunnybrain (dan bunnybrain), Sunday, 7 August 2005 20:44 (twenty years ago)
>the speakers are going to move up and down.
oktophonie is spatially mixed for eight speakers, with the sounds moving around in the room from speaker to speaker. I don't think the speakers themselves will be moving.
it's a nicely drony piece, the digital textures take a bit of getting used to for the first 15-20 minutes but once it locks in on the One Note it's good listening, and should sound great loud at the fish market. wish I could be there.
― milton parker (Jon L), Monday, 8 August 2005 18:44 (twenty years ago)