Understanding Stockhausen

This Element hopes to draw attention to the ideas of communication and flight in western tradition. It explores Varèse and his 'noble noise', the arrival and influence of Information Theory, examples of early computer music, and ends with a defence of the sublime logic of Stockhausen's singing helicopters and tornados.

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This collection of essays addresses technical developments in telecommunications and sound recording that have guided the direction of musical aesthetics in the post-1950 era. Such information is readily available online but may appear counterintuitive to many who find its priorities difficult to grasp from a musical perspective. The author hopes to draw attention to the place of ideas of communication and flight in western tradition. This Element begins with Varèse and his 'noble noise', traverses the arrival of Information Theory and its influence, examples of early computer music, and ends with a defence of the sublime logic of Stockhausen's singing helicopters and tornados.