Rohrwerk: a 45-meter experimental musical instrument comes to EPFL

Named for the German word for pipes (Rohre), Rohrwerk indeed gives the impression of a futuristic organ. It is composed of seven novel ‘feedback pipes’ of various sizes, plus a ‘multi-trombone’ and other custom-made instruments. The pipes, suspended over the ground by a crane, are clustered together and taper to a point. From afar, the installation gives the impression of a towering, inverted pencil.

Previously installed in September 2019 at the Kunstmuseum Basel, Rohrwerk will be brought to the patio of EPFL’s Rolex Learning Center on the initiative of the College of Humanities (CDH) Culture program. Six composers, including Gysin, have created original pieces for Rohrwerk, which will be played at a series of concerts open to the public on September 21^st, 22^nd, and 23^rd.

“Music as a spatial art”

Rohrwerk’s goal is to bring people and contemporary music closer together in an architectural space that also behaves as an instrument. The installation is also, as Gysin explains, something of a science experiment. Having studied both chemistry and composition at university, Gysin noticed something missing in his music curriculum: an understanding of how musical tones relate to space.

“Every tone is situated in space, so the physical behavior of tones was very interesting to me. I began to do research on this topic, and I noticed a lack of composers writing for space,” Gysin says. He adds that he thinks the relationship between tones and space is an exciting frontier for the next century of music research. 

“I am fascinated by the idea of music as a spatial art, and as a scientist, [Rohrwerk] is the instrument with which I do my experiments.”

Creative technology

Each of Rohrwerk’s feedback pipes has precise dimensions, allowing certain overtones to be amplified, generating unfamiliar tone colors. The use of electronics allows for precise control of acoustic parameters such as delay, reverberation, and feedback. Other pipes can be played by using different instrument attachments (trombone, clarinet, etc.), or by being struck with a mallet. One part of Gysin’s composition even involves shooting small balls through a tube, like a blowgun, to strike the pipes in a precise spot. In this way, the entire space becomes an instrument, offering a unique experience at the intersection of music and architecture.

Gysin explains that while the Basel Kunstmuseum created an artistic backdrop for Rohrwerk, he hopes that at EPFL, the academic setting will inspire a more technical – but still creative – interpretation.

“I think science is, and must be, very creative. I hope that visitors to EPFL will be interested in the technical aspect of Rohrwerk, and in how we are able to create art out of such a technical piece.”