His works, composed over a period of nearly sixty years, eschew traditional forms. In addition to electronic music—both with and without live performers—they range from miniatures for musical boxes through works for solo instruments, songs, chamber music, choral and orchestral music, to a cycle of seven full-length operas. His theoretical and other writings comprise ten large volumes. He received numerous prizes and distinctions for his compositions, recordings, and for the scores produced by his publishing company.
Some of his notable compositions include the series of nineteen Klavierstücke (Piano Pieces), Kontra-Punkte for ten instruments, the electronic/musique-concrète Gesang der Jünglinge, Gruppen for three orchestras, the percussion solo Zyklus, Kontakte, the cantata Momente, the live-electronic Mikrophonie I, Hymnen, Stimmung for six vocalists, Aus den sieben Tagen, Mantra for two pianos and electronics, Tierkreis, Inori for soloists and orchestra, and the gigantic opera cycle Licht.
As an orphaned teenager, Stockhausen experienced true horror and carnage on active service near the end of WWII. He then went on to redefine contemporary music: from Kreuzspiel, the early electronic Kontakte, the intuitive works, the hour-long a-capella Stimmung, to the Licht cycle of seven operas. His influence is widely felt, even in unexpected places within the world of popular music.
After dealing first-hand with the victims of conflict and allied bombing out in the field and in the hospital, he began his post-war musical studies in Europe. He had thoughts of being a writer, and did a stint as a travelling magician's pianist. This life gave way in the early-1950s to the project of redesigning music, from the bottom-up, on his own terms. Melody, regular rhythm, and literal repetition were not to be found, while fearsome serial structures (and philosophical paradigms) underpinned the sparsest surface texture. Stockhausen's frequent cosmic flights of philosophical and moral fancy are important to his works.
The sharp practicality of his musical thinking is in its own league among post-war composers. By the mid-50s Stockhausen was enjoying huge success as leader of the avant garde. Dedicated festivals soon sprung up around the globe, and they continue. For some though, even now, this is one musical emperor who walks unclothed.
Recommended for starters may be: the electronic Telemusik, all the early chamber pieces, the erotic ode Stimmung (arguably the finest of all takes on mimimalism), Mantra for two pianos, the epic Hymnen, Trans, Gruppen (for 3 orchestras), Carré (for 4 orchestras and choirs), Unsichtbare Chöre, Mixtur. From 1975 on, his work was centred around the opera cycle, Licht. He may be at his best in quiet moods, but the unprecedented live Stockhausen sound-happening, with overwhelming sonic swirlings in all directions, is something everyone should try at least once before they leave the planet. The composer has issued nearly all of his music on his own label.
Gesang Der Junglinge
Karlheinz Stockhausen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wo in düst'rer Einsamkeit dumpf die Tritte wiederschallen!
Edler Geist des Ernstes soll sich in Jünglingsseelen lenken,
Jede still und andachtsvoll ihrer heil'gen Kraft gedenken.
Gehen wir in's Gefild hervor, das sich stolz dem Himmel zeiget,
Der so feierlich empor überm Erdenfrühling steiget!
Eine Welt voll Fruchtbarkeit wird aus dieser Blüte brechen.
PUBBLICITÀ
Heilig ist die Frühlingszeit, soll an Jünglingsseelen sprechen!
Fasset die Pokale nur! Seht ihr nicht so purpurn blinken
Blut der üppigen Natur? Laßt uns frohen Mutes trinken!
Daß sich eine Feuerkraft seelig in der anderen fühle.
Heilig ist der Rebensaft, ist des Jugendschwungs Gespiele!
Seht das holde Mädchen hier! Sie entfaltet sich im Spiele;
Eine Welt erblüht in ihr, zarter himmlischer Gefühle.
Sie gedeiht im Sonnenschein, unsre Kraft in Sturm und Regen.
Heilig soll das Mädchen sein, denn wir reifen uns entgegen!
Darum geht in Tempel ein, edlen Ernst in euch zu saugen;
Stärkt an Frühling euch und Wein, sonnet euch an schönen Augen!
Jugend, Frühling, Festpokal, Mädchen in der holden Blüte,
Heilig sein'n sie allzumal unsrem ernsteren Gemüte
The lyrics above are from Karlheinz Stockhausen's song "Gesang Der Junglinge," which means "Song of the Youths" in English. The song is divided into three parts, and the lyrics are from the second part. The title of this part is "Heilig Jugendzeit" which translates to "Holy Youth Time." The lyrics express the idea of the holiness of youth and encourage young people to come to the temple to contemplate its sacredness. The temple is described as a place of solemnity and a place where young people can meditate on the power of the holy spirit.
The song's lyrics also speak of spring, nature, and the beauty of life. It encourages young people to enjoy the beauty of nature and take in the joys of life. The lyrics suggest that youth is a time of great potential, where people can develop their minds and souls to become strong individuals. The song's message is to take advantage of that time and to become the best person that you can be.
Overall, Gesang Der Junglinge is a profound song that speaks to the human condition and the power of youth. It encourages people to embrace life, to live it fully and to cherish every moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Heilig ist die Jugendzeit! Treten wir in Tempelhallen,
Let us enter the temple halls and honor the youth, the sacred time of life.
Wo in düst’rer Einsamkeit dumpf die Tritte wiederschallen!
Where we hear our footsteps echoing in the dark loneliness!
Edler Geist des Ernstes soll sich in Jünglingsseelen lenken,
May the noble spirit of seriousness guide the souls of young people,
Jede still und andachtsvoll ihrer heil’gen Kraft gedenken.
And may each remember silently and reverently their holy power.
Gehen wir in’s Gefild hervor, das sich stolz dem Himmel zeiget,
Let us go out into the field, which proudly shows itself to the sky,
Der so feierlich empor überm Erdenfrühling steiget!
Which rises so solemnly above the spring of the earth!
Eine Welt voll Fruchtbarkeit wird aus dieser Blüte brechen.
A world full of fertility will blossom from this flower.
Heilig ist die Frühlingszeit, soll an Jünglingsseelen sprechen!
The springtime is holy and should speak to the souls of the youth!
Fasset die Pokale nur! Seht ihr nicht so purpurn blinken
Just take the goblets! Do you not see how they glow with a purple hue,
Blut der üppigen Natur? Laßt uns frohen Mutes trinken!
The blood of the abundant and rich nature? Let us drink with joy!
Daß sich eine Feuerkraft seelig in der anderen fühle.
So that a radiant energy may feel at home in another.
Heilig ist der Rebensaft, ist des Jugendschwungs Gespiele!
The wine is holy, the playmate of youthfulness!
Seht das holde Mädchen hier! Sie entfaltet sich im Spiele;
See the lovely girl here! She unfolds in the game;
Eine Welt erblüht in ihr, zarter himmlischer Gefühle!
A world blossoms within her, of delicate heavenly feelings!
Sie gedeiht im Sonnenschein, unsre Kraft in Sturm und Regen.
She thrives in the sunshine, our strength in storm and rain.
Heilig soll das Mädchen sein, denn wir reifen uns entgegen!
The girl should be holy, because we mature towards her!
Darum geht in Tempel ein, edlen Ernst in euch zu saugen;
Therefore, go into the temple to absorb the noble seriousness within yourself;
Stärkt an Frühling euch und Wein, sonnet euch an schönen Augen!
Strengthen yourselves with spring and wine, be elated by beautiful eyes!
Jugend, Frühling, Festpokal, Mädchen in der holden Blüte,
Youth, spring, festive cup, girl in the lovely flower,
Heilig sein’n sie allzumal unsrem ernsteren Gemüte.
They are all holy to our more serious minds.
Writer(s): Dr
Contributed by Christian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.