Alternative zur Flaschenpost-Kunst

Hochschule für Musik Basel

Hans Wüthrich's Genossin Cäcilia as a case study of aesthetic practices in social interstices

The research project Alternative zur Flaschenpost-Kunst explores Hans Wüthrich's concept Genossin Cäcilia (1976) with artistic and scientific methods: This yet unpublished typescript outlines a music creative practice in collaboration with people on the margins of society – a «composing with another self» that reflects their world and gives them a voice.

Wüthrich implemented the concept in two works, Brigitte F. (1978) and Procuste deux étoiles (1981), but contrary to his original intentions, the response remained largely confined to the circle of new music and was mixed even there. No wonder, these pieces were actually motivated by Wüthrich's discomfort with the aesthetic practices and cultural institutions of new music, whose social impact he described as «Flaschenpost-Kunst» (message-in-a-bottle art). In response, Genossin Cäcilia wanted to offer an alternative, anticipating highly topical issues such as relational inclusion, political empowerment and social sustainability.

The current research project subjects this concept to critical re-vision: in addition to studies on the original sources and aesthetic framework, it examines in practical terms how Wütrich's methodology can or must be updated today in the intersection of community music, social work and artistic research.

An interdisciplinary research team will develop a multidirectional critical perspective on Wüthrich, but also, based on Wüthrich's criticism, on the social relevance of contemporary music creation and its institutions.

The project Alternative zur Flaschenpostkunst is embedded in long-term studies in the field of acoustic ecologies, social responsibility of art and creative innovation.

The focus is on:

- Source-critical analysis of Wüthrich's work and related documents.

- Practice-led «Test Scenarios» of the concept Genossin Cäcilia with students and external partners.

- Development of new aesthetic formats beyond established concert formats.

- Evaluation with regard to sustainable creative practices and teaching formats.

Erfahrungsbericht

Veranstaltungen

Autumn Semester 2025/26

8. Oktober 2025, 17-18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Kickoff Meeting with all interested participants

22. Oktober 2025, 17-18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group

28. Oktober 2025, 16.15-17.45 Uhr, Universität Basel, Medienwissenschaft, Holbeinstrasse 12, Bluebox
Seminar on Hans Wüthrich’s Genossin Cäcilia with Stas Shärifullà and Michel Roth

04. November 2025, 16.15-17.45 Uhr, Universität Basel, Medienwissenschaft, Holbeinstrasse 12, Bluebox
Seminar on Hans Wüthrich’s Genossin Cäcilia with Stas Shärifullà and Michel Roth

26. November 2025, 17-18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group

21. Januar 2026, 17-18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group

Spring Semester 2026

16. Februar-29. Mai 2026, wöchentlich, montags, 10.15-11.45 Uhr, Philosophisches Seminar der Universität Basel, Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 (3.OG)
Seminar Musikphilosophie: Partizipationskunst und Relationale Ästhetik
Dr. Christoph Haffter (Philosophie), Prof. Dr. Markus Klammer (Kunstgeschichte)

16. Februar–29. Mai 2026, wöchentlich, dienstags, 14.15–15.45 Uhr, Musikwissenschaftliches Seminar der Universität Basel, Petersgraben 27, Vortragssaal
Seminar Musikwissenschaft: Die Politisierung der Avantgarde. (Schwerpunkt: Hans Wüthrich)
Prof. Dr. Matthias Schmidt (Musikwissenschaft), Prof. Dr. Michel Roth (Komposition/Artistic Research)

18. Februar 2026, 17–18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group
Guest: Prof. Dr. Anne Parpan-Blaser, Institute for Social Work FHNW (lecture and discussion)

25. März 2026, 17–18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group

16. April 2026, 19 Uhr, HSM Basel, MuST Studio Letzi // St. Alban Vorstadt 93/95, Basel
On experts of everyday life, collaboration, marginalisation and power, conflict and dissonance and the role of the artist.
workshop with Ulf Aminde, Moderation: Michel Roth
Further information: Lecture Series Society un Transformation

23. April 2026, 14.00–15.40 Uhr
Interdisciplinary Acts
Guest: Mirela Ivanova (University of Basel, Sociology)

23. April 2026, 19 Uhr, HSM Basel, MuST Studio Letzi // St. Alban Vorstadt 93/95, Basel
Open seminar on relational aesthetics, political art, the phantasm of community, criticism!
With Dr. Christoph Haffter with students from the University of Basel and HSM Basel
Further information: Lecture Series Society un Transformation

29. April 2026, 17–18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group

27. Mai 2026, 17–18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group

17. Juni 2026, 17–18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group

31. August-2. September 2026, FHNW Campus Muttenz
Community Musicking. Awareness and change through music practice
Michel Roth, Stefano Grasso
Part of the Exploration Week on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the FHNW.

Ongoing: Test Scenarios by Students of Sonic Space Basel and MuST (tba).

Studienjahr 2026/27

Further «Test Scenarios» in collaboration with Gare du Nord Basel, interdisciplinary student’s projects in the network of the FHNW (HSM, PH, HGK, HSA, APS).

Summer 2027

Final evaluation of the findings, conclusions and project documentation.

Links

Video Portrait of Hans Wüthrich, Swiss Music Prize 2016:
https://neo.mx3.ch/t/1h4O

Akademie der Künste Berlin:
https://www.adk.de/de/news/?we_objectID=55128

Mathias Spahlinger on Hans Wüthrich:
https://www.dissonance.ch/upload/pdf/diss111.hb_48_57_ms_wuethrich.pdf

Thomas R. Rath, Kritik des freien Falls. Hans Wüthrichs neues Musiktheater:
https://library.positionen.berlin/secure/Pos35/Rath_35.pdf

Michel Roth's Dissertation featuring a chapter on Hans Wüthrich on pp. 217–223:
https://www.wolke-verlag.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Roth_Aufs_Spiel_gesetzt_Ebook_2024.pdf

Hans Wüthrich Playlist:
https://neo.mx3.ch/hanswuethrich

Projektdetails

Typ: Forschungsprojekt
Forschungsfeld: Sounding Futures
Hochschule/Institut: Hochschule für Musik Basel / Hochschule für Musik Basel, Klassik
Partner: Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit FHNW (HSA),
Pädagogische Hochschule FHNW (PH),
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW,
Musikwissenschaftliches Seminar der Universität Basel,
Philosophisches Seminar der Universität Basel,
Seminar für Medienwissenschaft der Universität Basel,
Internationale Gäste aus Musik, Theater, Kultur, Philosophie und Soziale Arbeit
Förderung: Maja Sacher-Stiftung
Laufzeit: September 2025 – August 2027
Leitung: Prof. Dr. Michel Roth
Mitarbeit: Quellenforschung: Dr. Michael Kunkel,
Musikpädagogik: Prof. Dr. Anne Günster,
Musikästhetik/Musikphilosophie: Dr. Christoph Haffter,
Elektronisches Studio Basel: Cédric Spindler,
Projektbegleitung Soziale Arbeit: Prof. Dr. Anne Parpan-Blaser (FHNW/Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit HSA),
Lehrveranstaltungen/«Test Scenarios»: Prof. Dr. Anne-May Krüger (MaR), Prof. Raphael Sbrzesny (MuST), Prof. Dr. Wiktoria Furrer (PH)