Between piano, sound and absurdity

“I was six when I sneaked into my brother’s room and ended up at the old, out-of-tune piano. He never wanted to play – but I was immediately fascinated: this is my thing.” This is how the story begins for Noémi Büchi, a musician from Zurich. It soon became clear to her: A life devoted to music – that’s what I want.

Today, the Swiss-French composer works in the field of electroacoustic composition: she blends electronic and orchestral sounds with structural rhythms, combining harmony and dissonance – with minimal metre but maximum impact. Music that unfolds “electronic-symphonic maximalism” and generates both emotional and intellectual euphoria.

Her works span a range of genres: electroacoustics, audiovisual shows, works for film, theatre, dance, ensemble and orchestra. Her music has been performed internationally at festivals such as Ars Electronica, Mutek, the Biennale Nemo (Paris) and at the Museo Nacional Reina Sofía in Madrid – in 2024 she received the Pro Helvetia Fast Forward grant, and in 2020 a creative residency from the City of Zurich.

The serendipity that led her to composing is in desperate need of a counterbalance: the lightness and relaxation that meditation brings her. “We are so small; our existence is absurd. Knowing this takes the pressure off me,” she says. Inspired by her mother, who is deeply rooted in Zen philosophy, she teaches us to curb the ego and not take everything so seriously. “It’s just an album. It’s just a concert.”

This allows for two things: creative freedom and peace of mind at the same time. For she does not measure success in clicks or reviews, but in a moment when she looks at and feels her work: “When I’ve finished a piece and it feels right – that is success. Nevertheless, the feeling fluctuates: “A day later, I sometimes want to delete the whole thing.”

Büchis’ works interweave crystal-clear sound structures with analogue synthesisers, playing with minimalist tones and gently undulating rhythms. Her trilogy “Matière” → “Matter” → “Does It Still Matter” explores the transience of matter – from noun to question. In her latest album, sharpness merges with soundscapes, creating sonic sculptures with emotional depth.

For Noémi, it is important that people find their own universe in her music. “After a concert, someone came up to me and told me a whole story – the journey they had experienced through my music.” Such moments have a lasting impact on her. She does not want to set expectations – she prefers to take people by surprise.