The best and most interesting new releases of the previous three months are awarded a place on the best list every quarter. The evaluation criteria are artistic quality, repertoire value, presentation and sound quality.
Our production “Karlheinz Stockhausen: MANTRA” with the GrauSchumacher Piano Duo and the SWR Experimental Studio was Best list 3/2024 in the category “Contemporary Music”.
"When the digital ring modulator precisely matches the pitch of the piano sounds and the sine generator and loudspeaker no longer produce noise, and when this technology (controlled by sound designer Michael Acker) is in the hands of the duo GrauSchumacher, then MANTRA (1970) finally achieves the perfection that Karlheinz Stockhausen struggled to achieve throughout his life, even in rehearsals with the piano duo. As a result, GrauSchumacher delicately explores transitions between harmony and disharmony, shows enjoyment in witty interjections and playfully develops a colorful, glowing picture sheet."
For the jury: Margaret Zander