Stimmung (Tuning) is a formidable 70-minute work for six singers and a subtle sine-wave drone. The score calls for nearly constant singing of quickly fluctuating phonemes in polyrhythmic, overlapping patterns, creating a Western-influenced overtone singing style. Aleatoric sections of the piece pit one singer against another, creating rhythmic disruptions, pitch deviations, beat frequencies, and other sound events that are reminiscent of the composer’s work for tape and electronics.

Stimmung is a highly influential avant-garde work that provided inspiration for the spectral composition school that emerged in Paris during the 1970’s.

All MODfest events are free and open to the public. No reservations are necessary unless otherwise noted. For directions to the Vassar campus in Poughkeepsie, New York, please refer to the directions section on our Visit website. People with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact the Office of Campus Activities at (845) 437-5370.

MODfest 2025