STERNKLANG

No. 34: STERNKLANG (Star Sounds)
Park Music for 5 Groups (21 Singers & Instrumentalists, including synthesizers)
1971 [2.5 - 3 hrs]

Introduction
     STERNKLANG was commissioned by Sender Freies Berlin and was first performed one summer night in 1971 in the English Garden near the Academy of the Arts, in Berlin. STERNKLANG, meaning "Star Sounds", is kind of like an exploded STIMMUNG, Stockhausen's piece for 6 vocalists based on one chord.   If STIMMUNG is a solar system with 6 planetary voices revolving around a single harmony, then STERNKLANG is 5 star systems (each with 4 planets and their own harmony), sharing a single pitch and held together by one percussionist on tam-tam (gong).  The 5 groups of mixed voices and instruments (usually electronically modulated) are separated across a large park area and play STIMMUNG-type combinations but are synchronized by musical signals.  In addition, sometimes a Model (vocal pattern) is transferred from one group to another by SOUND RUNNERS, who sing the Model as they leave one group and join another, while being escorted by a torch-bearer.  In the middle of this very long piece all 5 groups have a collective "intuitive music interlude", where they perform "AUFWÄRTS" (Upwards), one of the pieces from AUS DEN SIEBEN TAGEN (From the Seven Days), Stockhausen's text-based free improvisation collection. 

Instrumentation
     There are 5 groups of 4 performers each (any instrument), but at least 3 of the groups must have 2 (or more) vocalists.  Typically the other instruments are augmented by synthesizers since the score requires the player to create multiple overtones from their instruments on different pitches.   Electronic instruments are able to emphasize overtones more easily than say, a recorder (which was still used anyways).  Brass players use various mutes to create the overtones.  For a guitarist, I imagine a wah-wah pedal would be pretty handy for this purpose.  The vocalists create overtones by use of phonetic vowel combinations, just as in STIMMUNG.  One difference from STIMMUNG (which is quiet) is that the performers need to be able to get fairly loud, since they need to be heard by all the other groups which are at least 60 meters away.

     The performers and instrumentation for the 1975 DG/Stockhausen Edition recording were:

Group I   ("Intermodulation")
Peter Britton  synthesizer
Tim Souster  viola & synthesizer
Robin Thompson  bassoon & synthesizer
Roger Smalley  el. organ & synthesizer

Group II
Annette Meriweather  soprano (voice)
Hans Alderich Billig  bass (voice)
Wolfgang König  trombone w synthesizer
Harald Boje  electronium & synth.

Group III
Helga Hamm-Albrecht  mezzo soprano (voice)
Wolfgang Fromme  tenor (voice)
Helmut Clemens  tenor (voice)
Peter Sommer  trombone & synthesizer

Group IV    ("Gentle Fire")
Graham Hearn  el. organ & synthesizer
Stuart Jones  trumpet & synthesizer
Hugh Davies  clarinet & synthesizer
Michael Robinson  cello & synthesizer

Group V
Atsuko Iwami  alto (voice) & recorder
Michael Vetter  bass (voice) & recorder
Markus Stockhausen  trumpet & synthesizer
Suzanne Stephens  clarinet & synthesizer

Richard Bernas ("Gentle Fire")   percussion:
 tubular bell
 lg. cow bell
 lg. tam-tam

     All performers with synthesizers could process their primary instrument through their synths to emphasize the overtones required.

Harmony
(© www.karlheinzstockhausen.org)
     In STIMMUNG the 6 vocalists used a pool of notes from 1 just-intonated Bb Maj9th chord, but here there are 5 chords (each is still based on their overtone series and in just intonation).  However all 5 chords share a single note, E (330Hz).  What happens is that as the 5 groups are given parts of the 5 chords, a variation of consonance and dissonance occurs - consonance when all 5 are playing the same pitches, and dissonance when more distinct pitches are in play (in the "form scheme" the combinations where all 5 groups are on the same pitch are marked by upper brackets.)

Form Structure
     Each of the 5 groups have their own sequence of 40 combinations.  Each combination indicates which of the 4 players may play and what notes they can use (usually 2, unlike STIMMUNG which only gave 1 per player).  The indicated performers for each combination use their 2 pitches according to one of the 6 Models they can choose from, usually alternating pitches on each repeat of the phonetic phrase. Altogether there are 30 Models and some of these are shared by more than one group (through RUNNERS).


     There are also 10 "SPECIAL MODELS" (S1 - S10) in which all 5 groups are synchronized by the tam-tam and play the SPECIAL MODEL together (though the 5 part-patterns are not necessarily in unison).  These SPECIAL MODELS are very distinctive since it's the only time in STERNKLANG (or STIMMUNG for that matter) where up to 21 players collectively play the same Model.  


     After combination 28, all 5 groups also perform the intuitive music piece AUFWÄRTS (Upwards), which is a text-based free improvisation with the basic instruction of playing vibrations "in the rhythm of your smallest particles" and "in the rhythm of the universe".


     Interspersed are places where "constellations" are played (marked "K").  These are points of varying sizes representing actual star shapes and are interpreted as relative pitch and loudness (see sample in score section below).


      There are 5 combinations where only 1 of the 5 groups play, and this is labelled a "SOLO".  The solos are signaled as beginning and ending when one of the soloists plays a loud "low-high" phrase or a loud "high-low" phrase, respectively, which is echoed back by the other groups.


     Almost half of the 40 combinations feature a SOUND RUNNER.  One member of a group (usually someone not playing the main Model) begins playing his group's Model (using any of the 5 intervals (adjacent tone-pairs) in the current chord) and then with a torch-bearer walks to another group (or groups) and leads them into his Model, after which he returns to his own group (or carries his Model to other groups).


     There are 9 "General Pauses" (GP) which are signaled by a player playing a repeating high pitch.  Usually a General Pause occurs to mark the beginning or ending of a SPECIAL MODEL, or to enable RUNNER activity.  If a RUNNER is active during a General Pause, each group begins again once the RUNNER has "restarted" them with his Model message.


     At right is an excerpt showing combinations 25 to 28 and then the text improvisation phase, AUFWÄRTS.  Each letter in a circle (A, B, C, D, E) represents one of the 5 chords used in STERNKLANG.  The lines connecting the circled letters indicate RUNNER activity from 1 group to as many as all 5 groups.  


     The letter T in a circle indicates where a player transforms his part to gradually match a lead Model.  The indication "var." means to rhythmically deviate away from and back to the main pitches and Model.  


     The squiggly vertical lines ending in arrows indicate which groups can gives the high pitch to signal a General Pause (or  AUFWÄRTS in the example at right).
     In each of the 5 groups one staff has a thicker line than the others.  This signifies the person who initiates the next combination and Model for that group.  Naturally the groups don't change to the next combination in unison unless they are cued by a collective action such as SPECIAL MODELS, General Pauses or SOLOS.


     Finally, notes which are "scored through" are played more quietly or sporadically, and players who have empty staff lines play slow glissandi notes in order to create beating patterns with the Model notes. 


(© www.karlheinzstockhausen.org)







     In the 2nd excerpt of the Form Scheme (showing combinations 33-36), some intricate RUNNER activity occurs for SPECIAL MODEL S - 8 OPHIOCHUS.  


     First there is a SOLO for Group V in Combination 33.1.  


     In Combination 33.2, after Group III signals a General Pause, a RUNNER from Group I makes trips to Groups II, III, IV and V to restart them into Combination 34 with his Model before returning to his own Group.


     The 5 groups are signaled by the percussionist into Combination 35.1, OPHIOCHUS, which has 5 layers, 1 for each group.  However a RUNNER from each group makes a trip to the Group below it to initiate Combination 35.2.  This happens 5 more times, in effect causing the 5 separate layers of the OPHIOCHUS Model to "rotate in space" until the Model layer at the beginning of this 6-section combination actually returns back to its original group.  


     Additionally, each of the Models stay on the same chord harmony so the main thing changing is the Model layer's position in space (in the park) and the player arrangement.  I suppose depending on how well rehearsed the 20 group players are, this could be either extraordinary or totally chaotic...





































The Models and the Constellations
     The form scheme indicates the combination player arrangements and pitches, while the 30 Models describe the articulation of the pitch material using phonetic vowels of star constellation names in order to emphasize the overtones, as well as establish rhythm and tempo.  These Model names are similar in concept to the Magic Names used in STIMMUNG.
6 of the 28 Constellations in graphic notation for "K" moments.  The 2 staff lines indicate the relative positions of the 2 pitches in the group's current Model.  The constellations should be somewhat in rhythm with the Model. 
(© www.karlheinzstockhausen.org)
     The 30 Models (5 groups x 6 Models each) are also designed so that their tempi and periodic structure (length and placement of the repeat sign) are analogous to the harmonic relationships between the 5 groups (Works of Karlheinz Stockhausen, Maconie 1976).

     There are 10 SPECIAL MODELS which are designed for up to 21 players to play at the same time.
SPECIAL MODEL S2 DELPHINUS:  Some S-Models have 5 layers of STIMMUNG-like notation, 1 layer for each group.
The 5 groups are sometimes staggered and sometimes in unison.
(© www.karlheinzstockhausen.org)
     There are 5 pages of Models with 6 on each page.  The Models are basically rhythms with vowel shapes, since pitch is indicated in the form scheme.  The idea is to use the star constellation names to create oscillating overtones using the shape of one's mouth (as in STIMMUNG), trombone mutes, or synthesizer timbre filters.

     These are the Models chosen for the SOLOs in the 1975 version:
Combination 17.1, Group III SOLO (Sculptor)
Comb. 33.1, Group V SOLO (Pegasus)
Comb. 38.1, Group IV SOLO (Pisces)
(© www.karlheinzstockhausen.org)
     Combination 7.2, Group II's SOLO, continues the previous Combination 7.1 material, SPECIAL MODEL S - 1: LEO.

     Combination 25.1, Group I's SOLO, plays SPECIAL MODEL S - 5: LYRA (in anticipation of 25.2).


Stockhausen Edition 18 CD Annotations
CD 1
Time
1 Tuning in Percussionist plays periodic tubular bell ending with cow bell roll to initiate C1. 2:01
2 C1, C2, GP Full mix of all 5 groups. 
Group III signals General Pause with HIGH tones.		 4:10
3 C3 - C6, GP Group I Runner initiates Groups II - V into C3, all same Model/chord. 
From this point forward individual groups are featured but not isolated from the other groups ("strolling from group to group").
Group V signals GP with HIGH tones.		 11:22
4 C7.1 SPECIAL-MODEL S - 1: LEO.  Consonant (all groups on same chord).
Ends when Group II signals beginning of SOLO with LOW-HIGH pitch signal.		 3:01
5 C7.2 - C11 Group II SOLO: Cont. Model S - 1: LEO (C7.2).
Solo ends w HIGH-LOW pitch signal.		 9:13
6 C12, GP S - 2: DELPHINUS,   Dissonant (all groups on different chords)
Percussion signals GP with roll.		 4:13
7 C13 - C16 Groups enter C13 at will after GP.   
C16 ends when Group III signals beginning of SOLO w LOW-HIGH tones.		 8:11
8 C17.1 - C18 Group III SOLO: SCULPTOR (C17.1), signals end w HIGH-LOW tones. 7:17
9 C19, C20, GP S - 3: COMA BERENICES (C19),  Dissonant (all groups on different chords).
Group II signals GP with HIGH tones.		 6:43
10 C21 - C24 S - 4: URSA (C21), Consonant (all groups on same chord).
C24 Ends when Group I signals beginning of SOLO w LOW-HIGH tones.		 8:07
CD 2

1 C25.1 Group 1 SOLO: S - 5: LYRA, signals end w HIGH-LOW tones, continues on to… 1:13
2 C25.2 - C28, (GP) S - 5: LYRA (C25.2),  Dissonant (all groups on different chords)
Group II/IV signals GP with HIGH tones.		 8:33
3 AUFWÄRTS (Upwards): Vibrational Free Improvisation 9:19
4 C29, C30 S - 6: AQUARIUS (C29), Consonant (all groups on same chord). 6:47
5 C31, C32 S - 7: CASSIOPEIA (C31),  Dissonant (all groups on different chords)
C32 ends when Group V signals beginning of SOLO w LOW-HIGH tones.		 5:32
6 C33.1, C33.2, GP Group 5 SOLO: PEGASUS (C33.1).
Group III signals GP with HIGH tones.		 5:03
7 C34 Group I Runner initiates Groups II - V into C34, all same Model/chord. 4:03
8 C35.1-6, C36, GP S - 8: OPHIOCHUS w Runner Rotation (C35),  Dissonant (all groups on different chords).
Group III signals GP with HIGH tones.		 8:36
9 C37 S - 9: VIRGO (C37), Consonant (all groups on same chord).
Ends when Group IV signals beginning of SOLO w LOW-HIGH tones.		 2:38
10 C38.1, 38.2, GP Group 4 SOLO: PISCES (C38.1).
Group III signals GP with HIGH tones.		 4:06
11 C39, GP Group I Runner initiates Groups II - V into C39, all same Model/chord.
Group II/V signals GP with HIGH tones.		 4:10
12 C40 S - 10: LIBRA, Consonant (all groups on same chord).
Groups stop independently.  
Percussion continues solo and gradually fades out.		 5:34


Diagram of Group placement in a park (© www.karlheinzstockhausen.org)
Stockhausen Verlag Score Front  (© www.karlheinzstockhausen.org)

Live Performance
     The five groups of performers are separated in a park environment with at least 60 meters separating them from each other.  The percussionist is centrally located.  The sponsor is required to provide the musicians with a signal pistol for each group and fireworks (30 rockets per group - I'm not actually sure what these are used for though...).
 
 Sound Impressions
     STERNKLANG is one of Stockhausen's longest and most ambitious works, but on a cellular level it's actually very pure and simple.  The intent to is to create a vibrating sound space, analogous to a star constellation with all its pulsating stellar entities.  Despite all the diagrams, 3 main textures occur:
  • SOLOS - small group versions of STIMMUNG
  • S - MODELS - large group versions of STIMMUNG
  • Regular Combinations - multiple independent small group versions of STIMMUNG

     This work is obviously best experienced live in a park on a warm summer day with a full moon (as recommended in the score) so that one is able to navigate among the 5 "star groups", dodging the shuttling Model-bearers.   On CD, Stockhausen mixed down the 21 performers in as logical a fashion as possible, highlighting the solos and runners, and mixing each of the groups in and out of the foreground mix.  Since the work is harmonically hinged on 5 just-intonated chords with a common pivot note of E (330 Hz), the whole 2 hours-plus can be experienced as a kaleidoscopic trance- collage.  However it would be very interesting to one day have this as a 5-channel tape so that a listener could self-mix the groups at home.  Theoretically it would be possible to create software which would put the 5 groups on a screen and you could drag an icon to where you would like to be "sitting" (or control an onscreen character with a joystick?).  Perhaps one day...

Links
STERNKLANG samples, tracks listings and CD ordering 
Purchase the Score
Wiki Entry 
AllMusic Samples
Sonoloco Review 
Youtube Clip

STIMMUNG

Stockhausen's initial vocal square sketch indicating phonetic vowels and
the overtones achieved with each vowel.
The upper number is for high voice, the lower number for low voice.
(© www.karlheinzstockhausen.org)
No. 24: STIMMUNG
for 6 Vocalists (3 Male, 3 Female) (and tuning tape)
1968 [70 min.]

Introduction
     STIMMUNG is in its simplest explanation a sequence of 51 different vowel-based vocal patterns (without pitch) which are interspersed with "Magic Names" and interrupted 3 times by passages of erotic poetry.  Each vocal pattern ("Model") is started by an indicated vocalist and the other vocalists gradually transform whatever they are doing to match the new Model.
     There are 6 basic notes (from a Bb Major 9th chord) which the vocalists intone the Models on, and the Models are designed to bring out the overtones of the pitches with the help of the vowel shapes.  The score arrangement (form scheme) lets the mixed vocal group create a kaleidoscopic layering of overtone frequencies on a single chord (actually a single note, since the chord is created by the harmonic partials (overtone series) of the Bb note).

Development
     STIMMUNG was commissioned by a traditional vocal group accustomed to performing madrigals and things like that, but when Stockhausen found himself unable to sing melodies out loud at his home (due to his sleeping newborn child Simon) he began humming.  From humming with his skull against the wall (and hearing Simon's own humming from his crib) he became interested in composing for overtones on a static chord.  Additionally, he had just returned from a few weeks exploring the ruins of the Mayas in Mexico and was inspired by the stark but iconic architecture he found there, as well as the accounts of the ancient (and sometimes bloody) rituals conducted in those places. 

Form Structure
The first 26 combinations of STIMMUNG in the Form Scheme.
(Score images © Universal Edition)
     The official score is for two sopranos, an alto, two tenors and a bass vocalist, but Stockhausen has actually recorded with some slight deviations, such as substituting a baritone for the bass.
     51 combinations ("moments", indicated by the number in squares) follow one after another in which an indicated lead singer (thick lines) chooses a vowel/text Model and sings it, based on the pitch in the score.  These Models are repeated until a matching "identity" is achieved by the group, after which the lead singer signals the next combination. The other singers sing (or rest) as follows:
  • Match the lead singer's vocal Model (but on their own pitch)
  • Continue the previous Model (possibly with a change in pitch)
  • Modify the Model they were singing to gradually match the new Model (indicated by "T" in circles) except for pitch
  • Move in and out of variations of the Model, one parameter at a time (indicated by "var." and usually in the bracketed sections)
  • Sing "here and there" matching the pitches of other singers with small glissandi to create beating patterns
(The bracketed sections indicate combinations where all singers are on the same pitch.)

     Additionally for each Combination with the cursive "N" above it, Magic Names of gods from various cultures can be introduced as new models.  Only singers who have reached "identity" with the lead Model can introduce a Magic Name, but up to six (one for each singer) can be invoked.

     Two of the Models include long poems of a decidedly erotic nature.  The poems are read without any specified pitches, but "with a great deal of variation in pitch, without exaggeration, peacefully, gay, with gestures towards the other singers" (from score).  Meanwhile, the other singers can use any part of the poem's text as a Magic Name.  

A page of 9 Models from which the female singers can choose to shape their pitches on.
(© Universal Edition/©www.karlheinzstockhausen.org)
Score
     Above and below each vowel are numbers indicating the dominant overtones desired.  The upper number is for higher voices and the lower number for lower voices.  The Models are mostly based on purely phonetic vowel combinations, but there are also actual words, such as "Phoenix", "Hippy", "Komit", the names of the days of the week, etc...  Some of the Models have very short erotic poems attached, usually just a sentence or two.


Texts of the Two Longest Poems
English translations of the German text from the Singcircle CD booklet.  In Stockhausen's supplementary notes he indicates that in performance they are always to be sung in the original German.
(©www.karlheinzstockhausen.org) 
Live Performance
     A tape of 7 pitches as sine or square waves (the Bb Maj9th chord in just intonation) is quietly played during performance.  This helps the tuning of the singers, who sit facing each other in a circle on cushions.  The singing is without vibrato and quiet. Many versions of STIMMUNG are possible since for each of the 51 combinations the lead singer has a choice of 8 or 9 Models to choose from (but doesn't repeat any for any other combination).  Additionally the Magic Names are naturally aleatoric in nature.
     For preparation, Stockhausen recommends that singers perfect their ability to emphasize the overtones of each vowel phonetic before attempting the Models themselves.

Recordings
1982 Paris Version on Stockhausen Edition CD 12B
Combination
CD track		 Lead Voice Model text sample Magic Names Length
1 Bass Tuning in and 1st Combination
3:22
2 Alto
Vishnu 1:23
3 Soprano II "Montag" Tangaroa 1:00
4 Soprano I
Usi-afu 1:11
5 Tenor II
Uranos 0:57
6 Tenor I

1:05
7 Tenor II

1:18
8 Soprano I "Niemals" Uwoluwu 0:35
9 Bass "Nimm Dich in acht..."
1:11
10 Soprano I

0:28
11 Bass
Hera 1:05
12 Tenor I
Rhea 1:07
13 Tenor II
Elohim 0:45
14 Soprano II
Munganagana 1:49
15 Alto "Freitag" Ahura-Mazda 0:45
16 Bass "Mein hände..."
(erotic poem)
3:21
17 Soprano I

0:36
18 Tenor I

1:43
19 Bass
Usi-neno, Aeolus, Abassi-Abumo, Geb, Hina-a-tuatua-a-kakai 1:45
20 Soprano II

0:23
21 Tenor II

0:25
22 Alto

0:39
23 Tenor II

0:14
24 Soprano II
Tamoi 1:06
25 Alto
Isis 0:53
26 Soprano I
Elyon 0:47
27 Alto "ruseralkrusel"
1:45
28 Bass
Nut 1:06
29 Soprano II "Mittwoch" Viracoccha 1:09
30 Soprano I "The male is basically an Anymale…"
0:33
31 Alto

1:13
32 Tenor II "Mein hahn ist meine Seele…"
(erotic poem)
5:45
33 Soprano II "Gott noch mal…" Grogoragally 0:46
34 Soprano I
Tamosei 0:53
35 Soprano I
Atum-Ra 0:54
36 Tenor I
Rangi, Uitzilopochtili, Yahweh 1:18
37 Alto
Varuna 0:42
38 Tenor II "Samstag" Venus 0:57
39 Tenor I "Mulugu" Mulugu 0:42
40 Tenor II

0:46
41 Bass
Tlaloc 1:18
42 Tenor II "Piperipipi..."
1:38
43 Tenor I "diffffff-daffff..."
2:59
44 Bass
Pferdeweihern 0:24
45 Soprano II

0:30
46 Tenor I "Guru-muku-mu-…" Sussistinako 1:25
47 Soprano I "Dienstag" Sedna 0:39
48 Alto

0:35
49 Tenor I "Thorstag - Donnerstag"
0:45
50 Soprano II

0:32
51 Tenor I Overtone whisper, whistling
2:19

Sound Impressions
     It's fascinating to hear each Model enter and then absorb the sound space.  Depending on the recording, the overtones can be very clearly heard and the vocal textures reveal a unique sound world as fresh and unexplored as the sounds created in works like KONTAKTE and MIKROPHONIE I (among innumerable other Stockhausen works).  In later years these phonetic overtones would even make an appearance in the LICHT super-formula.  As usual, Stockhausen creates a strict sound "gestalt", but is not afraid to enhance the work with "inserts" and deviations from the initial formula according to his own tastes.  However, these Magic Names and erotic texts are sometimes a little bit distracting for me personally.  I guess I'm glad the text is in German at least, since in English these erotic passages might come out a little bit too over the top, at least for my tastes.  Possibly after repeated listening the "enhanced content" will feel more natural to me.
     A few years later Stockhausen would re-use his STIMMUNG concepts and textures in the "park music" piece STERNKLANG, essentially for 5 STIMMUNG quartets.
(Score cover, artwork Mary Bauermeister)

Links
STIMMUNG samples, tracks listings and CD ordering 
Buy the Score
STIMMUNG Score Slideshow
STIMMUNG Live (Pokrovsky Ensemble)
Youtube clip of Paris 1982 Version (Collegium vocale Köln)
Youtube clip of Theatre of Voices 2007 Version
Wiki Entry
Analysis by Rory Braddell
STIMMUNG by Theatre of Voices AllMusic review and samples
Paul Hiller's Encounters with STIMMUNG (Guardian)
STIMMUNG by Singcircle AllMusic review and samples
Stockhausen Supplementary Notes
Karlheinz Stockhausen's Stimmung and Vowel Overtone Singing (Saus) PDF
Sonoloco Review
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