Karlheinz Stockhausen

Karlheinz Stockhausen (August 22, 1928 – 5 December 2007)) is a German composer, and one of the most controversial composers of the 20th century. He is best known for his ground-breaking work in electronic music and controlled chance in serial composition.

Misattributed

• [The attacks of September 11 were] the greatest work of art in the cosmos … compared to that, we composers are nothing.

According to Stockhausen, a journalist in Hamburg seriously distorted his statement, and Stockhausen claims that he referred to the attacks as "Lucifer's greatest work of art". [1]

Quotation about Stockhausen

• Sir Thomas Beecham was asked if he had ever conducted any Stockhausen. He said, "No, but I once trod in some."
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