Instruments That Talk Back: Celebrating the Legacy of Don Buchla

Instruments That Talk Back will be a seven-month celebration of the work of Don Buchla, a pioneering electronic instrument designer who revolutionized music technology with unconventional touch- and motion-sensitive interfaces and instruments that blurred the line between human and machine. The exhibition is scheduled to open on September 19, 2026 and will close on April 17, 2027 with a special event commemorating what would have been Buchla’s 90th birthday.

EMEAPP and the Museum of Music Technology will be setting up a special physical exhibit highlighting our collection of rare Buchla instruments as well as several additional pieces on loan to us. Many of the instruments in the exhibit will be operational so visitors can see, hear, and interact with them.

We are excited to present a robust schedule of in-person programming to accompany this exhibition. To learn more and register for in-person tickets, please click the links at the bottom of each event. Some events are still pending final confirmation from the artist and do not currently have registration links. Links to register for those in-person tickets will be added as programs are finalized over the next few weeks.

Please note that admission to most in-person events is free of charge but donations are both welcome and encouraged! (Lectures/workshops are always free. A small booking fee will be added to free concerts/performances to help cover ticketing costs and minimize no-shows.) Seating is limited, so please only register for events that you will definitely attend. If you have registered but find you are unable to attend, please let us know so we can make your seats available to others.

All events will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person. Links to register for the livestreams are also provided below. Registration puts you on the list to receive the livestream link, which will be emailed out approximately 10-15 minutes prior to the event. All times are US Eastern time zone.