A Sound Project by the Dresdner Sinfoniker for the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica

Rafut Park – an enchanted oasis on the border between Slovenia and Italy, steeped in history and cultural influences. Amidst exotic trees stands the decaying Art Nouveau villa of architect Anton Laščak, who once designed palaces in Egypt and Turkey. His spirit still seems to linger in the park – and with Symphonic Forest, the Dresdner Sinfoniker bring this hidden magic to life through sound.

A Musical Journey Through the Park

With the Symfo-App, the park transforms into an interactive soundscape. Visitors discover QR codes on signs near cork oaks, palm trees, and sequoias. Each scanned code adds a new instrumental group to a virtual orchestra—first individual strings or horns, then entire sections, until finally, the full sound of the Dresdner Sinfoniker emerges. Alongside the music, the app and the walk provide fascinating insights into the instruments, compositions, vegetation, and history of the park.

Two Musical Worlds

Symphonic Forest bridges past and present through two contrasting works:

🎶 Robert Schumann’s “Forest Scenes”, originally composed for piano, have been orchestrated by Andreas Boyde. Romantic soundscapes evoke the mystical soul of the forest—sometimes dreamy, sometimes mysterious. Work description here.

🎶 Matej Bonin’s commissioned composition creates an associative space where sound merges with the natural elements of Rafut Park. The result is a kaleidoscope of tones, detached from classical musical narration yet deeply connected. Work description here.

Symphonic Forest opens the ears to the music of nature – transforming Rafut Park into a stage full of hidden melodies.

A production by the Dresdner Sinfoniker in cooperation with GO!2025. The Dresdner Sinfoniker are supported by the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture, and Tourism and the City of Dresden through the Office for Culture and Monument Protection. They are co-financed by tax funds based on the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.