Sound pioneer Peter Roth: A life for the sounds of Toggenburg!

Sound pioneer Peter Roth: A life for the sounds of Toggenburg!

In the magical Swiss region of Toggenburg, to be precise, sounds come to life - thanks to a man who has dedicated his life entirely to music: Peter Roth. The 81-year-old sound pioneer and composer, known for his deep roots in Alpine culture, has moved and created a lot. Even as a child, Roth was surrounded by sounds that are deeply rooted in tradition, be it yodeling, the melodies of the dulcimer or the ringing of bells. These early experiences continue to shape his work today. As SRF reports, Roth founded the “Klangwelt Toggenburg” together with like-minded people and initiated the Klanghaus Toggenburg, which has now become the home of his sound visions.

Roth's philosophy is unique: he sees ears and listening as a gateway to an invisible world that is seen as the origin of all life. “People come from this source and return there after death,” explains the musician and teacher. His entire musical creativity flows from this deep conviction and is reflected in his compositions.

A place to meet and experience

At the heart of the sound world is the resonance center, a multifunctional meeting center that is used for workshops, courses and cultural events. Here, in the reception and information area, visitors will find initial information about the wide range of offerings, including concerts, courses and exhibitions. The center also offers space for private events. A special highlight is the “sound dome” on the top floor, which promises intensive sound and listening experiences with its unique acoustics. This innovative center was architecturally designed by Graber Pulver and Martina Hauser and is intended to function as a place of symbiosis of sound, architecture and encounters, as Klangwelt points out.

The history of the creation of the Klangwelt Toggenburg and the Klanghaus is also honored in the resonance center, and Peter Roth's life's work is appropriately recognized here. The modern design and clear functionality of the center invite you to discover the different facets of sound art that has developed over centuries. Sound art is now recognized as an independent art form that breaks down the traditional boundaries between the arts and is characterized by interactions between music, visual art and performance.

A look at the development of sound art

The history of sound art is rich in remarkable ideas and transformations. From the theories of Lessing in the 18th century, which considered the separation of the arts according to space and time, to the revolutionary approaches of celebrities such as Luigi Russolo and Edgar Varèse, who defined sound as a material in its own right. Since then, sound art has undergone a unique evolution, as can be read on Wikipedia. With the emergence of new technologies and techniques, artists have the opportunity to present sounds in exhibitions, festivals and performances in a whole new way.

What is particularly inspiring is the way sound installations and sound sculptures combine both visual and acoustic elements and involve the recipient in the artistic processes. Peter Roth is certainly one of the pioneers of this movement and shows how important sound is in our lives and how it can serve as a bridge to the deepest levels of our existence.

Peter Roth concludes with his convictions about the role of sound art: it connects people, tells stories and opens doors to a true musical dimension that goes far beyond what can be heard.