DCXXVI. STOCKHAUSEN, Karlheinz (1928-2007)
Mantra is derived from a 13-note formula. Above, Stockhausen has drawn the mantra in colors, which show the structural relationships of the mantra (upper voice) with its mirror-image (lower voice); with its four "limbs" (segments) -- separated by rests; with its 13 different characteristics, which are given by its 13 pitches, each of which determines a large cycle of the work.
The limbs are 1) regular repetition; 2) accent at the end of the duration; 3) "normal" note; 4) rapid grace-note group around the central note.
There is nothing but a continual series of this mantra and superimpositions with itself, in 12 forms of expansion and 13 x 12 transpositions. That is, in each of the 13 large cycles one pitch of the mantra is itself the central pitch around which the expansion forms arise and thus, in each cycle, a different one of the 13 mantric characteristics predominates.
MANTRA, therefore, is not a variation form. The mantra is not varied; not a single note is added, nothing is "accompanied," embellished, etc. The mantra always remains as it is, duodecimally manifold with its 13 characters.
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Both pianist use ring modulators to alter pitches.
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"Now, as you listen to MANTRA, I would ask that you do what I did when composing and what led me to call this work MANTRA: to concentrate with as much focus as you can. No one can look into your soul: at how much you are able to hear. Try to hear two layers, four layers, five layers -- preferably with your eyes closed -- and to discern the characteristic of the pitches and the expansions.
Projections of the mantra in 13 cycles, all derived from the nucleus, are not the only things that take place in this work. Occasionally something happens that expresses my sense of humor, of sonority, of adventure, of repose: One pianist plays a wrong note, the pianist becomes irritated, pedantic; one laughs at the other, and so on. Thus, moments occur which reveal a relationship between the pianists which is not easily explained. The listener may have his or her own thoughts and feelings about this." -- KS
Projections of the mantra in 13 cycles, all derived from the nucleus, are not the only things that take place in this work. Occasionally something happens that expresses my sense of humor, of sonority, of adventure, of repose: One pianist plays a wrong note, the pianist becomes irritated, pedantic; one laughs at the other, and so on. Thus, moments occur which reveal a relationship between the pianists which is not easily explained. The listener may have his or her own thoughts and feelings about this." -- KS
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