Voting Station

Karlheinz Stockhausen

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Composer

The Resume

    (August 22, 1928-December 5, 2007)
    Born in Modrath, Germany
    Composed over 300 works
    Known for his experiments with electronic music
    Noted works include Kontra-Punkte (1952-53), Gruppen (1955-57), Mikrophonie (1964-65), Mantra (1970) and Light: The Seven Days of the Week (1977-2003)

Why he might be annoying:

    When Sir Thomas Beecham was asked if he had ever conducted any Stockhausen, he replied, 'No, but I once trod in some.'
    He collaborated with Yoko Ono in the early 60s.
    He composed a work for four musicians flying in four helicopters.
    His instructions for 'Ylem' direct the 19 musicians to establish telepathic communication during the performance.
    His piece 'Starsound' was conceived as 'a preparation for beings from other stars and for the day of their arrival here.'
    He called the 9-11 attacks 'works of art.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He lost both his parents at age 12 during World War II.
    He had perfect pitch.
    He influenced jazz musicians Miles Davis, Charles Mingus and Herbie Hancock, rockers Frank Zappa and Sonic Youth and electronic musicians Kraftwerk.
    He clarified his 9-11 remarks, 'I used the designation work of art to mean the work of destruction personified in Lucifer.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 18 Votes: 72.22% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 14 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 31 Votes: 58.06% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 70 Votes: 62.86% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 13 Votes: 84.62% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 30 Votes: 73.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 43 Votes: 65.12% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 76 Votes: 56.58% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 147 Votes: 72.11% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 91 Votes: 72.53% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 58 Votes: 65.52% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 79 Votes: 62.03% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 285 Votes: 68.77% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 505 Votes: 69.11% Annoying