Documentary backdrop image for Helicopter String Quartet (1996)

199681 minPGdocumentary

6.0/ 10(4 ratings)• TMDB

Electronic Music

Deep Dive

Helicopter String Quartet

199681 minPGdocumentary

6.0/ 10(4 ratings)• TMDB

Deep Dive

Four helicopters carry members of a string quartet as they perform Karlheinz Stockhausen's composition, which premiered at the Holland Festival in 1995.

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Synopsis

Four helicopters carry members of a string quartet as they perform Karlheinz Stockhausen's composition, which premiered at the Holland Festival in 1995.

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Frank Schefferdirector

Frank Schefferwriter

Karlheinz Stockhausencast

Irvine Arditticast

Graeme Jenningscast

Synopsis

Frank Scheffer's 1996 documentary captures the intense preparations for the world premiere of Karlheinz Stockhausen's "Helikopter-Streichquartett" in 1995. The Arditti Quartet performs from four helicopters, each carrying a musician, a pilot, and technical equipment. The Royal Netherlands Air Force provides the helicopters for this unique event at the Holland Festival. Interviews with Stockhausen and the quartet members, including Irvine Arditti and Garth Knox, reveal the challenges and intricacies involved in executing this ambitious composition.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

See the Arditti Quartet perform in helicopters.
Meet composer Karlheinz Stockhausen in interviews.
Find out how the Royal Netherlands Air Force participated.

Did You Know

The film was produced in 1996 and directed by Frank Scheffer.
The world-premiere performance took place at the Holland Festival in 1995.
The Arditti Quartet performed Stockhausen's piece using four helicopters.
The film was nominated for several awards at the Chicago International Film Festival.
It was screened at the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema in April 2005.

Perfect For

Experimental music fansDocumentary enthusiastsAviation lovers

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed the Helicopter String Quartet documentary?

Frank Scheffer directed the Helicopter String Quartet documentary.

What is the duration of the Helicopter String Quartet film?

The duration of the Helicopter String Quartet film is 78 minutes.

When was the world premiere of the Helicopter String Quartet performance?

The world premiere of the Helicopter String Quartet performance took place at the Holland Festival in 1995.

Awards & Festivals

Chicago International Film Festival

1996 • Official selection

Awards & Festivals

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