Der Jahreslauf

“The course of the year,” subtitled “Scene from Light,” for 14 musicians, tape, and sound projectionist was composed in early autumn of 1977, commissioned by Toshiro Kido for the Japanese National Theater, Tokyo. It was performed there scenically on October 31 and November 1, 1977, by dancers and musicians of the Imperial Gagaku Ensemble, a Nō actor, five actors, four musical assistants, and Karlheinz Stockhausen himself as sound projectionist. Orchestral arrangement—each instrument is amplified by a microphone: Japanese (1977): three shō, three ryūteki, three hichiriki, koto, biwa, shōko, kakko, and taiko European (1979): three harmoniums, three piccolos, three soprano saxophones, harpsichord, guitar, anvil, bongos, and bass drum The premiere of the concert version with European instruments took place on February 10, 1979, in the large auditorium of WDR in Cologne. On the preceding day in the same hall, the recording was made that was selected for this record. Comes with a 4-page, 12-inch-sized booklet. PRS embossed stamp in the lower left corner of the back cover.