In 2016, the Holland Festival, De Nationale Opera, the Royal Conservatoire and the Stockhausenstiftung joined forces to stage the German avant-gardist's magnum opus at Amsterdam's Gashouder. Light far surpasses Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen in ambition and scale. Against the four full-length operas of his older colleague, Stockhausen places 'Sieben Tage der Woche', lasting some 26 hours in total. Never before have all seven operas been performed in one go. My heart leapt when I heard of this bold venture, which will once again put the Netherlands on the map as a modern-music-loving country.
In times when culture and intellect are under attack worldwide, those who want to realise a grand dream cannot be praised enough. So kudos to the three institutions for wanting to take us on this exciting adventure. Too bad the ambitious project comprises only a 16-hour selection. - Hence the title 'Aus Licht'. Flutist and artistic director Kathinka Pasveer said, when asked, that it is simply impossible to master the demanding scores in two years.
A year's work
Indeed, the musicians are not only expected to play the difficult parts by heart, but also have to act and operate a large amount of electronics. Just preparing for a production of Donnerstag aus Licht in Basel in 2016 took a year to complete.
To familiarise young musicians with Stockhausen's sound world, the Royal Conservatoire set up a two-year master's course. Here, students were taught by teachers who had worked with Stockhausen personally. Besides Stockhausen's heirs Kathinka Pasveer and clarinettist Susanne Stephens, they include pianist Ellen Corver and percussionist Renee Jonker.
Fellow-music journalist Olivier Keegel launched a petition to this marathon-company, but his action was fortunately unsuccessful. Van 31 May to 10 June we can Experience 16 hours from the opera Light in three performances. A godsend.
The Podcast
Last Tuesday, 7 May, the press got a sneak preview, at a rehearsal of the famous and infamous Helicopter string quartet, part of 'Mittwoch aus Licht'. It experienced in 1995 - also in the Holland Festival - its world premiere. Back then, the four strings of the Arditti Quartet took place in as many helicopters, now it was four students of the Royal Conservatoire, together called the Pelargos Quartet.
Before the rehearsal began, Renee Jonker briefly explained the background and practicalities. In 1995, for instance, the helicopters simply took off directly from behind the Gashouder, but now they had to divert to a meadow near the Sint Barbara cemetery. I was there and caught reactions from those involved and journalists.
You can listen to the podcast via this link.
English (UK) 
Nederlands 
Français 
