RIP: Stockhausen’s tin drummer
RIPWe have been notified by the family of the death of Christoph Caskel, percussionist in major works by Karlheinz Stockhausen and a driving force in contemporary music.
Caskel took part in the premieres of Stockhausen’s Zyklus (1959) and Kontakte (1960), in Helmut Lachenmann’s Intérieur (1966) and in Mauricio Kagel’s Transición II (1958–59). Alongside his impassioned modernism, he also played in the early-music ensemble Capella Coloniensis.
Christoph died in Cologne on Saturday at the age of 91.
He was a true artist.
I second that emotion, william.
Christoph Caskel was at the top of his profession, peerless in the most complex and demanding percussion parts.
As drummerman states in his comment, CC was a pioneer. His many contributions to advancing the art of percussion playing cannot be overstated.
Bravo, Christoph – rest in peace.
A phenomenal instrumentalist, a lively mind and a very kind person. He was a significant member of the generation that re-wrote the technical possibilities of many conventional instruments: Globokar, Berberian, Holliger, Tudor, Rzewski, Palm. An immense contribution.
His recording of the Stockhausen “Nr. 9 Zyklus” inspired me to learn the piece. A true pioneer.
Mr Caskel also made a fine recording of Stockhausen’s Refrain with the Kontarsky brothers