In the past, one could argue that books written by devoted disciples (such as Maconie) would find their strongest audience primarily in other true believers. The present volume, however, can be read with pleasure for its insightful comments on a host of topics—philosophy, poetry, German responses to Nazism, and the music of Boulez, Berio, Cage, Reich, Riley, et al. Stockhausen himself is omnipresent, of course, and the text is peppered with quotations from the composer's writings. As always, these can be brilliant, perceptive, arrogant, silly, mystical, infuriating, or incomprehensible. But the context of such comments can now be seen in sharper focus. A fascinating book containing many gems. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.
A composer of avant-garde electronic and instrumental music, Karlheinz Stockhausen is one of the most elusive and enigmatic musical thinkers of his generation. Organized chronologically, this volume catalogs Stockhausen's complete output and identifies the sources of his inspiration. Each composition is fully documented with information on publisher, catalog number, instrumentation, duration, and authorized compact disc recording.
Reference and Research Book News
A piece-by-piece guide to the composers music, and an absolutely essential reference.
New Zealand composer and musicologist Robin Maconie has written a meticulously researched biography of the man many believe to be the world's greatest living composer, German electronic music pioneer Karlheinz Stockhausen. Maconie is regarded as the world authority on Stockhausen, and his book Other Planets: The Music of Karlheinz Stockhausen is the result of 40 years of studying his work.
The sheer amount of information is of immense value.... The book provides an invaluable foundation for further research on Stockhausen.
[W]ell done...Stockhausen has been such an extraordinary figure within the musical world of the last 50 years—variously a musical scientist, a psychic astronaut, and a neo-Wagnerian megalomaniac—that we need to know much, much more.
Maconie often does say shrewd and penetrating things. He has a nice way with metaphor.... There are many good things in this book.
His commentary was remarkably attuned not only to the physical presence of the canvas, but also to its otherworldly harmonies.... Maconie- as writer as well as speaker- is an immensely practical, at times demanding, yet persuasive guide to both the world around us and the 'other planets' contained therein.
Maconie's exploration of all things Stockhausen is a winner.... [T]his new book offers greater nuance and—delightfully—earnest criticism.... Maconie has done amazing work.
La Folia: Online Musical Review
Other Planets is an entertaining and detailed resource…. [T]he imaginative, conglomerate approach taken by Maconie invites further elaboration and discussion. In the context of a resurgence in performances of Stockhausen’s music and an intensification of interest around the world, this resource…will help shape the interpretation and reception of future practitioners and audiences.
[G]reat fun to read, and full of provocative nuggets of information...a useful guide.
Times Literary Supplement
Books about Stockhausen have not been scarce, but an up-to-date and not overly technical study of his music was certainly needed: this one fits the bill admirably.... [A]n ideal overview.
Teaching History: A Journal of Methods
