About

The Acousmatic Project © Markus Gradwohl
Das Wiener Akusmonium (Frontansicht) ©Markus Gradwohl

The Acousmatic Project (ACP)

… is an art organization founded by Thomas Gorbach, dedicated to promoting acousmatic music, which is the art of composing and presenting sound that is heard without an originating cause being seen. The project is renowned for its unique multichannel loudspeaker orchestra, known as the Vienna Acousmonium, developed by Gorbach and Schretter. This system enables the concert performance and installation of acousmatic sounds and compositions.

  1. The Vienna Acousmonium
    • A sophisticated setup of loudspeakers, hardware, and control units designed to create dynamic, ephemeral sound sculptures in space​​.
  2. Festivals and Concerts
    • The Acousmatic Project organizes annual festivals and numerous concerts, showcasing acousmatic music and the Vienna Acousmonium​​.
    • Past events include international performances and installations in locations such as Russia, the UK, Brazil, Slovenia, Czechia, Switzerland and Austria​​.
  3. Research and Education
    • The project conducts research into the interpretation and spatialization of acousmatic music, developing new techniques for sound diffusion and control​​.
    • The Virtual Vienna Acousmonium A research project focused on creating a digital version of the Vienna Acousmonium.
    • It also offers workshops, lectures, and educational initiatives to share knowledge about acousmatic music and its technologies​​.
  4. Innovative Sound Techniques
    • Ephemeral Dynamic-Motion Sound Sculptures An innovative technique by Thomas Gorbach to create fluid, dynamic sound sculptures and transform sound into a spatially immersive experience. This involves exploring various spatial figures and techniques to manipulate sound using the specially designed control unit of the Acousmonium.
  5. Collaborations and Installations
    • The project collaborates with other institutions and artists. Notable projects include the permanent sound installation “Leidenschaft für Natur” at the Stiftsmuseum Admont, Austria.
    • DMU Lisbon (Digital Media and Urbanism) is a leading research institute in Portugal, focusing on the intersection of digital media, urban spaces, and sound art. DMU Lisbon collaborates on projects that explore innovative uses of sound in urban environments, integrating technology, culture, and public spaces to create immersive auditory experiences.
    • Musiques & Recherches Bruxelles is a renowned center in Brussels, Belgium, dedicated to acousmatic music and electroacoustic research. Founded by Annette Vande Gorne, it plays a pivotal role in the development of acousmatic music in Europe, offering training, hosting concerts, and fostering research in spatialized sound and multichannel audio systems, including the Acousmonium.

The Acousmatic Project thus stands at the intersection of technological innovation and artistic exploration, continually pushing the boundaries of how sound is experienced and interpreted.

PDF-Book: The Vienna Acousmonium

Learn more about the Vienna Akusmonium, acousmatic music and Thomas Gorbach’s method of interpreting acousmatic music: the ephemeral, dynamically moving sound sculptures.

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Bank data

  • Account holder: The Acousmatic Project
  • IBAN: AT26 1420 0200 1069 7892
  • BIC: EASYATW1