Neue Musik Rümlingen 2026

In 2026, the Neue Musik Rümlingen festival, under the title Transit, will explore the themes of movement, arrival, and lingering. From August 21 to 23, three distinctive locations in the Upper Basel region—Langenbruck, the Wasserfallen, and the sculpture park of Kloster Schönthal—will be transformed into spaces of sound. Historically, Langenbruck was an important stop on the trade route between Milan and Mainz, serving as both a hometown and a waystation. This ambiguity of “transit” as passage, destination, and interruption forms the artistic foundation of the festival. The invited composers, musicians, and sound artists explore questions of mobility and borders, of departure and arrival. They bring their own experiences of migration, cultural exchange, and relocation, which are reflected in their new works.

The festival is divided into three parts:

Friday – Passing Through (Langenbruck): Three vacant inns in the village become “sound houses,” where ensembles and soloists present concerts and installations. The audience experiences the location as an acoustic stopover.

Saturday – Arrival (Wasserfallen–Langenbruck): After the gondola ride up, a group hike begins along mountain trails, high plateaus, and viewpoints back to Langenbruck. Along the way, the audience encounters polyphonic soundscapes: world premieres, performances, and installations that translate the region’s nature, stories, and myths into artistic forms. In the evening, participants gather in the village to conclude the day together with sound installations and a concert.

Sunday – Lingering (Kloster Schönthal): Three ensembles provide musical commentary on the sculptures in the famous park. Here, contemporary music enters into direct dialogue with visual art and the landscape.

The Festival Neue Musik Rümlingen 2026 is made possible by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Further information:
neue-musik-ruemlingen.ch

Dates

August 21–23, 2026
Langenbruck, Switzerland