As with many of the composer's works, live instruments are combined with electronics in Karlheinz Stockhausen's Mantra. Written in 1970, the work is scored for...

As with many of the composer's works, live instruments are combined with electronics in Karlheinz Stockhausen's Mantra. Written in 1970, the work is scored for two ring-modulated pianos. Each player is also equipped with a chromatic set of crotales (antique cymbals) and a wood block. A short-wave radio producing morse code or a magnetic tape recording of morse code can either be controlled by one of the pianists or by a separate performer. Mantra was written for the great piano duo of Alfons and Aloys Kontarsky. The pianists performed at the work's premiere and on it's first recording in 1971 for Deutsche Grammophon. This exciting new recording from Mirare features pianists Jean-Francois Heisser and Jean-Frederic Neuburger, accompanied by Serge Lemouton on electronics.