Ceaselessly for Peace
The musician Markus Stockhausen presents his musical action art and introduces his vision of a peaceful, united humanity
Over the past four years, the conditions for performances by critical artists have changed dramatically. Politically motivated obstructions occurred again and again. Yet for people who stayed true to their critical perception, this also made possible personal encounters that would not have happened this way “before,” as well as the discovery of new venues. Both helped the artists to preserve their confidence.
For Jens Fischer Rodrian, who initiated the #Friedensnoten series, this includes his encounter with the trumpeter and composer Markus Stockhausen. Among other things, he appeared in public with spontaneous participatory concerts. Their title: „Langetönefürdenfrieden“. For the artist, these were bound up with his commitment to a more peaceful world, one that can only be made to resound together, not against one another.
In April 2023 I was invited by Philine Conrad to the festival „Kunst ist Leben“ at the Theater am Rand (TaR) in Brandenburg, back then still with the energetic support of the first-rate accordionist Tobias Morgenstern, who has since sadly left the TaR.
Markus Stockhausen was there too, and I could finally experience him live. His music had accompanied me for a long time; his upright bearing and his peaceful aura captivated me at once. Both of us had been in conversation on Kaiser TV with Gunnar Kaiser, both of us had spoken out there for an open cultural scene and free speech, and now we met for the first time.
In October 2023 we saw each other again, at the festival in Weimar that our fellow traveller, the composer and cabaret artist Uli Masuth, had brought into being. After my performance I spontaneously became part of his closing concert „Langetönefürdenfrieden“, that wonderful project which he will introduce here afterwards.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear Markus, for your strength, your commitment, and your „Langetönefürdenfrieden“.
Long Tones for Peace
by Markus Stockhausen
An old world is coming to an end, the world we know so well, the world of falseness, of the lie, of deceit, of greed, of power struggles and wars, of the theft of land and exploitation, of hostilities and exclusion, the world of all base human conduct. Once more it rears up with its grimace.
The source. Nameless. Revealing itself in everything that appears, endures, and passes away. The source of infinite goodness, love and wisdom, intelligence and omnipotence.
The vision is clear: a peaceful, united humanity that, for all its diversity, cares equally for the well-being of all, of the animals too, and of Mother Earth. An inner order lets people shape their surroundings harmoniously. They care for their health and for healthy living everywhere. All life is fostered as best it can be. All problems, all disputes are solved together – patiently, without violence, respectfully and benevolently, forgiving and generous in their basic attitude.
The field of all those who choose this new world grows larger every day, and it can, indeed it will, be the future of humanity. A paradigm shift, a new Earth, a new humanity. Perhaps it will take a few more centuries until this is realised, but it is coming.
Be part of it, be the change you long for in the world. Become aware of what must change within you so that this new world can arise. We all bear the responsibility equally. Small steps in the everyday. Small victories with great effect, seen as a whole, for everything is connected.
Peace and justice, friendship and joy on Earth!
langetönefürdenfrieden in St. Agnes on 11 December 2022 – a project by Markus Stockhausen
48 musicians come together and improvise for peace in the world. Inner peace as the precondition for world peace. Again and again we seek it, express it in our tones. Community amid all diversity. A sign. 48 musicians come together to improvise for world peace. Inner peace as the precondition for peace. Again and again we try to find peace and to express it through our sounds. Community despite diversity. A sign. Recorded on 11 December 2022 at St. Agness, Cologne. Thanks to Matthias Bartsch and the church congregation. Sound: Christoph Schumacher, Video: Levi Krämer. Produced by Markus Stockhausen
langetönefürdenfrieden in Berlin on 20 December 2023. The goal: peaceful coexistence
This was the 7th performance of „langetönefürdenfrieden“ with 34 musicians at the Musikbrauerei in Berlin, and once again it was entirely different: it became a large experimental group improvisation. My goal of the peaceful coexistence of all peoples, all nations, we experienced here symbolically in a small circle – may it ripple outward and inspire others to live peacefully with one another. Thanks to everyone involved and to the film crew! Further performances will follow.
Concert video: langetönefürdenfrieden – a musical peace project, 19 October 2022, by Markus Stockhausen
longtonesforpeace – premiere on 19 October 2022 at the Lutherkirche in Cologne-South with 45 participants. Peace is more important today than ever. Music has the power to overcome all borders and to foster community. An unlimited number of experienced wind players, string players and singers make music together. The feeling of all the musicians while playing should be: one great sound travels around the world and sends out a vibration of peace and freedom. Inwardly, the musicians prepare to play, as far as possible, in a state of inner peace. The audience is invited to attune themselves as well. Outer peace can only be the result of an inner peace. Peace is possible. The musical form: ABA – A = everyone plays/sings long tones, B = free improvisation, A = again as A before, a beautiful fade-out, and afterwards a moment of SILENCE.
On the theme of “peace,” Markus Stockhausen also gives seminars under the title „Der neue Mensch“:
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