NEW YORK, NY July 16, 2008 — Next week, 500 harpists will perform together at the World Harp Congress in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, a new DVD features a string quartet by Stockhausen performed on four helicopters. These are but two examples of a long tradition of outrageous, impractical and downright wacky performances. As Soundcheck explores some of the highs and lows in this tradition, here is sampler of musical "stunts."

Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji: Opus Clavicembalisticum

When British musician and composer Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji wrote "Opus Clavicembalisticum" in 1930, it was the longest piano composition ever written at that time. The solo piece is notoriously hard to perform due to its length – a whopping four hours – and its difficulty level. Only five musicians, including Sorabji, have performed the work in its entirety since 1930.

Karlheinz Stockhausen "Helicopter String Quartet"

The inspiration for Karlheinz Stockhausen’s “Helicopter Sting Quartet” first came in a dream the composer had in which members of a sting quartet performed while each flying in four separate helicopters. Stockhausen’s dream was realized when the piece was first performed at the Holland Festival in 1995. The sound of the helicopter blades provide accompaniment to the musicians’ performance.

Bernd Alois Zimmermann's "Die Soldaten"

Bernd Alois Zimmermann originally wanted his opera “Die Soldaten” performed on 12 different stages that the audience could be moved around. But when it was first staged in 1965, it was performed in a traditional opera house. Zimmerman’s vision wasn’t realized until July 2008 when Lincoln Center presented the opera at the Park Avenue Armory on a long, T-shaped stage that the audience glided along with the use of train tracks.

Rhys Chatham “A Crimson Grail” (2008) for 200 electric guitars

In August 2008, composer Rhys Chatham will conduct an orchestra of 200 electric guitars – including 16 basses – in the world premiere of his piece A Crimson Grail, for 200 Electric Guitar at the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival. The work is a revision of a composition Chatham originally wrote for 400 electric guitars that was performed in 2005 in Paris.

Anthony Braxton's "100 tubas"

Anthony Braxton premiered his work “Composition #19 for 100 Tubas” at the 2006 Bang on a Can Marathon on the plaza of the World Financial Center in New York. The musician and composer led the performers in a march to different parts of the plaza with the aid of a drum major’s baton.

Wendy Mae Chambers's epic works, including "10 Grand for 10 pianos," and "One World Percussion" for 500 percussion instruments

Since the late 1970s, composer Wendy Mae Chambers has been orchestrating unusual musical events. Past works include “Music for Choreographed Rowboats,” in which 24 musicians performed on rowboats on the Lake in Central Park in 1979; “One World Percussion,” a work composed for 500 percussionists in 1981; and “10 Grand,” a piece written for 10 grand pianos in 1983.