Karlheinz Stockhausen, "Klavierstück IV"

-- Liner Notes (Continued) --

4. Klavierstück IV [2'02"]

PERFORMER

Aloys Kontarsky, born May 14, 1931 in Iserlohn, Westphalia, received his first piano lessons at the age of five from his mother, later (1939-49) from Franz Hanemann Jr. (pupil of James Kwast and Max van de Sandt). In 1951, school-leaving certificate at the Oberschule, Iserlohn. In 1949, public concert with his brother Alfons (Stravinsky's Concerto for two pianos); 1951, Bartok's Sonata for two pianos and percussion. From 1949-51 lessons with Else Schmitz-Gohr at the Cologne Hochschule fur Musik, together with his brother Alfons, followed by one semester at the University of Freiburg (German studies and musicology). From autumn 1951 to January 1953, University of Cologne (German studies and musicology) and piano duo (again with Else Schmitz-Gohr). One year of illness. From January 1954 to autumn 1955, Cologne Hochschule fur Musik, solo piano and chamber music with Maurits Frank, music theory. In 1955, first prize for piano duo, together with his brother Alfons in the fourth German Radio International Music Competition. Autumn 1955 to 1957, pupil of Eduard Erdmann (Hochschule fur Musik, Hamburg). Since 1959, regular activity as concert pianist, mainly as a duo with his brother Alfons.

Since 1962, instructor at the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music; since 1963, instructor at the Cologne Courses for New Music; since 1962, member of the Darmstadt International Chamber Ensemble (as well as public performances with individual soloists from this ensemble: Siegfried Palm [cello], Christoph Caskel [percussion], Severino Gazzeloni [flute]). In 1959 he married the actress Gisela Saur.

Most important premieres: Stockhausen: Klavierstuck IX, Mikrophonie I, Momente (Hammond organ); Kagel: Sur Scene; Pousseur: Caracteres; in addition, works by Brown, de Pablo and Zimmermann.

Frequent tours in all Western European countries; extensive tours in the Middle East, South and Middle America.