Composer

:

Karlheinz Stockhausen

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1959

Average_duration

:

11:07

Movement_count

:

17

Movement ....

"Refrain" is a composition by Karlheinz Stockhausen, a German composer who is known for his contributions to the development of electronic music and his avant-garde approach to composition. The piece was composed in 1959 and premiered on October 26, 1959, in Cologne, Germany. "Refrain" is a work for a soloist playing a wooden instrument called a "Zwerg" (dwarf) and a tape recorder. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores different aspects of the relationship between the live performer and the recorded sound. The first movement, titled "Zwerg," features the soloist playing a series of short, staccato notes on the Zwerg while the tape recorder plays back a recording of the same notes. The live performer and the recorded sound are in sync, creating a dense, rhythmic texture. The second movement, titled "Komet," is more atmospheric and abstract. The soloist plays long, sustained notes on the Zwerg while the tape recorder plays back a recording of various sounds, including electronic tones and manipulated recordings of the Zwerg. The live performer and the recorded sound are not in sync, creating a sense of disorientation and unpredictability. The third movement, titled "Strophe," returns to the rhythmic intensity of the first movement. The soloist plays a series of fast, repetitive patterns on the Zwerg while the tape recorder plays back a recording of the same patterns, but with slight variations. The live performer and the recorded sound are slightly out of sync, creating a sense of tension and instability. Overall, "Refrain" is a pioneering work in the field of electronic music and a testament to Stockhausen's innovative approach to composition. The piece explores the relationship between live performance and recorded sound, creating a complex and dynamic sonic landscape that challenges the listener's expectations.

More....