Shortly after his book Musik als existentielle Erfahrung (1996) was published, Lachenmann’s Mädchen mit den Schwefelhölzern was premiered in Hamburg. The definitive texts for this key work of new music theater have a chapter of their own in the new volume Kunst als vom Geist beherrschte Magie. Essential are, in addition, the many-faceted conversations and panel discussions where over the years Lachenmann has further developed and intensively represented his aesthetics in his dialogue with dramaturges, journalists, philosophers, and music researchers. The composer has revised all the book’s texts, and in some cases even heavily revamped them. Many texts are also being published for the first time, while others previously appearing in program notes are now finally readily accessible.Please note, the book is in German.