On May 26, 1953, Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR Radio), in Cologne, Germany, presented neues Musikfest (New Music Festival), one of the first publicconcerts of “electronic music” (elektronische Musik) in Germany. A result of the technical and creative innovations developed at the Studio for Electronic Music, founded at WDR Radio in 1951 under the direction of composer Herbert Eimert, neues Musikfest broadcast pioneering sound composed entirely using electronic equipment. 

This listening session will re-create neues Musikfest in Menschel Hall. The program will include early compositions from the Studio for Electronic Music at WDR in addition to a series of experimental pieces by French composer Pierre Schaeffer, Cinq études de bruits (Five Studies of Noises), which was referenced in the original broadcast. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Inventur—Art in Germany, 1943–55, on display at the Harvard Art Museums through June 3, 2018. 

Free admission. Tickets will be distributed beginning at 7:30pm at the Broadway entrance. One ticket per person. The program will take place in Menschel Hall, Lower Level. Please enter the museums via the entrance on Broadway. Doors will open at 7pm. From 7 to 8pm, guests are invited to view the Inventur exhibition on Level 3.

Learn more about Sound Inventur: New Music Festival, 1953.