Karlheinz Stockhausen: Tierkreis

Physical Release: 21 June 2024

Digital Release: 7 July 2024

Artist(s): Sergio Armaroli

Composer(s): Karlheinz Stockhausen

EAN Code: 7.46160917313

Edition: Da Vinci Classics

Format: 1 Cd

Genre: Instrumental

Instrumentation: Crotale, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone

Period: Contemporary

Publication year: 2024

LINER NOTES by Chiara Bertoglio

REVIEW

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Tierkreis, che significa "Zodiaco", è un'opera alquanto atipica di Karlheinz Stockhausen (scritta nel 1974/5). Per ogni segno astronomico, egli scrisse una semplice melodia, costruita su una "tonalità centrale", i cui tratti musicali rispecchiano alcuni aspetti del nome del segno o delle qualità che Stockhausen notava nei nati sotto quelle stelle. Sergio Armaroli realizza una versione di Tierkreis per un set di percussioni suonate da lui stesso con la tecnica della sovraincisione, intervallate da intermezzi suonati al vibrafono. Il risultato è un'opera affascinante, che tesse reti tra macrocosmo e microcosmo, tra cielo e uomo.

This is a project worthy of listening and study, not only by percussionists but any contemporary musician. This is particularly true in an academic setting. “Tierkreis” by Karlheinz Stockhausen has been recorded and performed several times since being composed 50 years ago, but I am not sure it has been done to the extent of Sergio Armaroli’s realization. Its length, production value, and creativity bring about a product that should be admired.

“Tierkreis,” meaning “Zodiac” in German, is made up of 12 melodies corresponding to the different signs. Originally used for Stockhausen’s composition “Musik im Bauch,” Stockhausen commissioned music boxes to be built that play the melodies. Armaroli’s recording has three parts for each Zodiac sign. First, for the main part of the sign, he plays the vibraphone, glockenspiel, and crotales, overdubbing the melody on top of the music-box recording. This keeps the recording of each melody very strict in time, as he is bound to the music box but is still able to be creative with textures. Second, he plays solo vibraphone, adapting a version of “Music im Bauch.” And third, before going to the next sign of the Zodiac, he improvises on the current theme, again on vibraphone.

The musicianship on this recording is sublime. The moment it started I was drawn in by the metallic timbres Armaroli uses to work with the music-box recordings, almost making it sound as a fuller sounding music box. The vibraphone playing makes it seem as if this piece was meant for the instrument. His arranging and improvisations hold true to the desired outcome of this composition; according to Stockhausen’s daughter, it is “to make the structures clearly perceivable, and to make them interesting for the listeners.” 

If you are not familiar with this piece or its counterpart, “Musik im Bauch,” I highly recommend reading the performance instructions given by Christel Stockhausen found on the Karlheinz Stockhausen website before digging into this recording.