Stockhausen
The Helicopter String Quartet
Watch a recording of the rarely seen Helicopter String Quartet, performed by the Elysian String Quartet, part of Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Mittwoch aus Licht (Wednesday from Light) This was filmed in August 2012 and The Space streamed it live.
Four helicopters buzzed across the Birmingham sky as part of this ambitious and daring musical production, introduced by DJ Nihal to an audience in Birmingham.
A stunning spectacle as viewers were able to see musicians in each cockpit as they perform the score, which is in part a reaction to the noise of the rotor blades and pilot’s movement.
The Helicopter String Quartet was staged by the Birmingham Opera Company as part of the London 2012 Festival.
Watch a selection of films about Stockhausen, his life, music and influences here.
Watch a selection of films by Birmingham-based people based on Stockhausen’s music here.