CCCLXIX. STOCKHAUSEN, Karlheinz: Klavierstück XIII

CCCLXIX. STOCKHAUSEN, Karlheinz (1928-2007)

Klavierstück XIII (1981)
Filippo Gorini, piano
(34:08)

PIANO PIECE XIII should be performed like a magic spook.

(whisper) = always voiceless, stretch the consonants [s], [f], voiceless rolled [r], etc. Freely vary pitch of whisper.

(voiceless calling, sharp, plosive) = like whispering, but especially loud and sharp.

(vocal noise) = voiceless, yet not language as in whispering and voiceless calling, but only a noise. For example [tf-----] has a sharp [t] at the beginning, and then a continuous [f] (sh) with glissando, which results from the continual changing of the vowel position of the lips.

(voiced whisper) = make sure to whisper not only with descending glissandi, but often with ascending glissandi as well.

(whistle) = whistle with lips. It is easy to mistake the octave when whistling. One should check to make sure that one whistles the pitches which are notated. The ability to whistle varies from person to person; therefore lower whistled pitches have been notated with ossia.

(bells: 2 bundles of Indian bells) = hanging from brackets which must be fastened onto the left and right edges of the piano frame. The diameter of each bell is circa 1.6 cm and each bundle consists of about 20 of these bells strung on a loop of cord. In addition to the 2 bundles one needs a flat piece of felt onto which about 24 Indian bells have been loosely sewn. It lies inside the piano case on the right side and is struck with the palm of the hand.

(bone mallet) = for ↓ beats and ↓ glassandi on the piano strings, one needs a light mallet with a horn head, for example, a Japanese geisha bell mallet.

(cluster) = always chromatic.

() = silently press down key.

() = play on the strings (according to the respective instructions).

pizz.

() = Pluck string with fingernail or plectrum.

(rockets) = From bar 349-355, five rockets must be launched by the pianist. The rockets should fly from the piano through the air above the piano lid in various trajectories, landing -- optionally with parachutes -- at various locations on the stage. Toy rockets or self-made rockets may be used. If the rockets and launching stands are small enough, they may be placed next to each other on a high table, at the left next to the keyboard, reaching to where the piano lid begins, so that the right hand can trigger the launch levers. Since propulsion rockets are inflammable, it is best to build mechanical launching equipment, for example rubber catapults. With catapults made by combining several rubber bands, the speed and distance of flight can be varied by using different numbers of rubber bands.

For performing the cluster glissandi, it is best to wear white cotton or synthetic gloves (for example coffin-bearers gloves) with the fingers cut off.