My Journey to the PANArt Hang® – From Letters to Bern to Meditative Soundscapes
A personal reflection by Alexander Linz
A wondrous and deeply touching sound set me off on a unique journey back in 2013 — a quest for the legendary Hang®, the one-of-a-kind sound sculpture that would forever transform my musical life.
The search for the impossible instrument
The PANArt Hang® was more than a musical instrument — it was a legend. From 2000 to 2013, it was handcrafted in very small numbers by the metal sound artists Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer in Bern. You couldn’t simply order one. Only a few selected people were given the chance to acquire this remarkable sound sculpture.
At a time when PANArt had no official website, I wrote letters — completely oldschool. Emails went unanswered.
The invitation to Bern
Then, in February 2013 — the unbelievable moment: a letter from Switzerland inviting me to visit PANArt in Bern and choose my very own Hang®. For an entire week, I was in a state of joyful excitement — the anticipation was almost unbearable.
Bernese carnival and Swiss hospitality
During my stay, Bern was celebrating its Fasnacht — a farewell to winter with drums, brass and wild energy. An unforgettable moment: 50 tuba players thundering past me with the deepest tones imaginable!
Through Couchsurfing, I stayed with Sabine, a kind schoolteacher. Over raclette and red wine with her friends, I experienced genuine Swiss hospitality — including a countryside lunch with her parents.
Art and the Aare — Bern at its best
If you ever visit Bern, don’t miss the Zentrum Paul Klee. Its wave-shaped architecture houses the world’s largest collection of the artist, who spent half his life in the city.
My path to PANArt led steeply downhill towards the Aare river, which winds around the old town in a tight loop. Walking along the riverbank, I collected beautiful river stones as small natural treasures. 
The magical moment at PANArt
Finally arriving at Engehaldenstrasse 131, I was warmly welcomed by Sabina Schärer and Felix Rohner — the masters of metal sound. Over a small snack, they shared insights into the philosophy behind their instrument.
After a short introduction, I was invited to try all the Hanghang® available in the workshop. As a newcomer, choosing “the right one” felt nearly impossible — one could have spent weeks exploring them all, but time was limited.
The journey home with a treasure
With my selected Hang® in hand, I began my trip home — squeezed into a fully booked carshare, the instrument safely on my lap. The driver, booked via “Blablacar”, talked nonstop — perhaps living up to the name. 😊
From then to now: How a journey became sound journeys
This trip to Bern was more than the purchase of an instrument — it was the birth of my love for meditative soundscapes. Today, the essence of that experience flows into every one of my sound journeys. Each recording carries the authenticity and passion that began in Bern.
About the author:
Alexander Linz creates meditative sound journeys with the PANArt Hang. His recordings blend intuitive improvisation with years of experience — discover the current sound journeys HERE in the Downloads section.
“Hang” is a registered trademark of PANArt. More information can be found at www.hangblog.org
MEDITATION SOUNDS 2025
