I love the KLAVIERSTÜCKE in general, but I'm listening to VI right now and I'm in awe! It's such pure, crystalline music - like Webern but more joyful. Does anyone else really admire this work?

Oh yes, I am very much an admirer of KLAVIERSTÜCK VI, and I think your description of it fits perfectly. Even the score is a beautiful think to look at!! The music is like speckled stars, little points of light. I cannot imagine how anyone plays it - it looks extremely difficult, with its tempo constantly changing ( and notated in a very unconventional way in the score). Can I ask which recording you are listening to? My favourite in all of the KLAVIERSTÜCKE is Ellen Corver.

I'm listening to the Kontarsky recording, although this has persuaded me to save up for the Corver set!

I love Kontarsky too - but I don't think you would regret having both,and especially as Ellen Corver's set also includes XII, XIII, and XIV! For me Ellen brings a special, unique balance of poetry and power to her playing.

David Tudor's early recording is certainly a contender, even though it is not the final version of the score. In fact, this gives it a certain advantage for the newcomer to the piece, since its considerably shorter length makes it easier to grasp as a whole. Beyond that, though, Tudor's touch is absolutely exquisite, so that the colouration of his performance is unsurpassed.