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COMPOSITIONS (1974-2017) By JOAN LA BARBARA
"The Wanderlusting of Joseph C." [2017] song cycle for 2 sopranos, baritone and chamber ensemble, with lyrics by Monique Truong. Premiere: May 24, 2017 at Roulette Intermedium, Brooklyn, NY. Performed by Lauren Flanigan and Julia Meadows, sopranos; Mario Diaz-Moresco, baritone and Ne(x)tworks (Shelley Burgon-harp; Miguel Frasconi-glass, flute, synthesizer; Stephen Gosling-piano; Christopher McIntyre-trombone; Joan La Barbara-voice, composer, conductor) with guest artist Bryan Hayslett-cello.
"Journeys and Observable Events" [2011] For voice and chamber ensemble (2 vlns, vla, 2 vc, 2 harp, piano, glass, trombone, percussion) and 2 actors. Premiere: May 6, 2011 at Greenwich House Music School, NYC.
"Lizzie in the stars and snowfall" [2011] For multiple voices, bells, percussion and electronics on cd. Premiere: 60 x 60 Athena Festival, March 2011
"In solitude this fear is lived" [2011] For amplified voice, orchestra and "sonic atmosphere". Premiere: March 4, 2011 By American Composers Orchestra, Zankel Hall/Carnegie Hall, NYC.
"Storefront Diva" [2011] for solo pianist in a theatrical environment. Premiered by Kathleen Supove, set by Marija Plavic, video projections by Aleksandar Kostic, at 159 Bleeker Street, NYC, December 27, 2011
"Angels, Demons and other muses" [2010] For voice and chamber ensemble (2 vlns, vla, vc, harp, piano, glass, trombone, percussion) and computers. Premiere: April 29, 2010, "Interpretations" series at Roulette/Location One, NYC.
Video by Aleksander Kostic:
Watch the video clip
"Striations" [2009] for voice with megaphone and the reconstructed "intonarumori", commissioned by Performa 2009, Premiere: The Town Hall, November 12, 2009, Performa 2009 festival, NYC.
"Habité par ses rêves et les phantasms" [2009] For voice and hand-held percussion. Premiere: June 23, 2009 at Issue Project Room, Brooklyn, NYC.
Watch the video clip"Scatter" [2008] *(SA) For voice and chamber ensemble and sonic atmosphere (multiple voices and concrete sounds on CD). Premiere: May 3, 2008 by Ne(x)tworks at Chelsea Art Museum, NYC.
"Words on Water (Shimmer)" [2008] *(SA) For voice and chamber ensemble and sonic atmosphere (multiple voices and concrete sounds on CD). Premiere: April 5, 2008 by Ne(x)tworks at Chelsea Art Museum, NYC.
"Remains of the Day" [2008] For voice, violin, glass instruments and computer, co-written with Miguel Frasconi and Cornelius Dufallo. Premiere: March 2008 by La Barbara, Frasconi, & Dufallo at Sonic Arts Research Centre, Queens University, Belfast, Ireland.
"Atmos" [2007] *(SA) For flute, alto and bass flutes, piccolo, Native American flute, voice and "sonic atmosphere", commissioned by and composed for Margaret Lancaster, with funding from Meet The Composer "Soloist Champions" project. Premiere performances 3/15/08 at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Buffalo; 3/19/08 Symphony Space, Peter Jay Sharp Theater, NYC; and 3/24/08 - SUNY/Purchase.
"Shimmer" [2007] For amplified voice and sonic atmosphere (multiple voices and concrete sounds on CD). Premiere: November 3, 2007 by La Barbara at Roulette @ Location One, NYC.
"Emergences" [2007] For voice, violin, glass instruments and computer, co-composed with Miguel Frasconi and Cornelius Dufallo. Premiere: October 7, 2007 by La Barbara, Frasconi, and Dufallo at The Stone, NYC.
"An American Rendition" [2007-08] A spoken word opera scored for multiple voices and sonic atmosphere (multiple voices and concrete sounds of CD) soundscore. Commissioned by NYSCA and Live Music for Dance. Premiere: September 22-28, 2008, La Barbara's score for Jane Comfort and Company at Duke Theater, NYC."Angels Passing" [2007] For multiple voices, 16-channel speaker array and computer. Premiere: May 12, 2007 by La Barbara at Issue Project Room, Brooklyn, NYC.
"Urban Tropics revisited" [2006] For amplified voice and surround-sound. Premiere: September 2006 by La Barbara at Sounds Art Festival in Washington Square Park, NYC."From the Depths" [2006] For sampled sound and computer. Premiere: October 2006, Ear to the Earth Festival, 3 Legged Dog, NYC.
"African Rhythms" [2006] For sampled sound and computer. Premiere: October 2006, Ear to the Earth Festival, 3 Legged Dog, NYC.
"Tales of Micronesia" [2006] For sampled sound and computer. Premiere: October 2006, Ear to the Earth Festival, 3 Legged Dog, NYC.
"Der Wassergeister" (the water ghosts) [2006] For voice, violin, sampled sounds, computer and surround sound. Premiere: November 17, 2006 by La Barbara and Tom Chiu at Williams College.
"Desert Myths/ Isle of Dunes" [2006] *(SA) For voice and chamber ensemble. Premiere: May 2006 by La Barbara (voice, conductor), Ne(x)tworks, and Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ.
"Landscape Over Zero" [2006] *(SA)
For voice, chamber ensemble, and sonic atmospheres. Premiere: May 6 & 7, 2005 at Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, NYC.
"Fleeting Thoughts" [2006] A dance performance by Jane Comfort and Company with music composed and performed by La Barbara. Premiere: March 2006 by La Barbara and Jane Comfort and Company at St. Mark's Danspace, NYC. Pieces include: "Autumn Waltz", "Diagonal Duets", & "Lullaby Waltz" *(SA for all).
"Flash!" [2005] *(SA)
For solo violin. Premiere: December 2005 by Ariana Kim at Kim Paul Hall, Juilliard School of Music, NYC.
"Snowbird's Dance, Into the Light, and Beyond" [2004] *(SA)
For voice, flute and string quartet. Premiere: June 4, 2004: La Barbara and Locrian Ensemble at Riverside Church, NYC.
"Dragons on the Wall" [2001] *(I-P) For solo voice, instrumental ensemble and pre-recorded dancers' voices. Commissioned by Mary Flagler Cary Trust for Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. Premiere: February 3, 2001 by Ne(x)tworks and Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark.
Workshops/w-i-p performances in 1999: Harlem School of the Arts, NYC; Thread Waxing Space, NYC; workshops/ w-i-p performances in 2000: Feet Festival, Philadelphia. Workshops/w-i-p performances in 1998: Whitney Museum, NYC; Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Poetry Festival, NJ.
"WoolfSong" [2003] *(I-P) An experimental opera.
"Snowbird's Dance, into the light" [2000] *(SA)
For voice, flute and string quartet. Premiere: May 19, 2000: La Barbara and Locrian Ensemble at Riverside Church, NYC.
"Tales and Mosaics" [1999]
For voice, saxophones, p'iri and pre-recorded sounds, co-composed with Peter Gordon. Premiere: February 27, 1999 at The Forum at The College of Santa Fe.
"a trail of indeterminate light" [1997] *(SA)
For solo cello w/ voice (cellist who sings). Commissioned by Music Teachers National Association and New Mexico MTA. Premiere: November 14, 1997 by Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick at St. John's Church,
Music Teachers Association Conference, Santa Fe, NM.
"de profundis: out of the depths, a sign" [1996]
For 4 voices, percussion and tape (electronically-modified and concrete sounds), text by Melody Sumner Carnahan. Recorded for Frog Peak Music: "The Time is Now", CD released 1998.
"A Different Train" [1996]
For 4 voices, bowed pianos and tape (electronically-modified and concrete sounds), text by Melody Sumner Carnahan. Recorded for Frog Peak Music: "The Time is Now", CD released 1998.
"de profundis: out of the depths, a sign//a different train" [1996]
For 4 voices, percussion, bowed pianos, tape (electronically-modified & concrete sounds), text by Melody Sumner Carnahan. Premiere tape version: December 7, 1997 at The College of Santa Fe, NM. Premiere concert version: April 13, 2000 at Merkin Concert Hall, NYC.
"Calligraphy II/Shadows" [1995] *(SA)
For voice and chinese instruments: Dizi (bamboo flutes), Erhu (2 silk-string, violin-like instrument), Yangqi (dulcimer played with bamboo mallets) and percussion. Commissioned by Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. Premiere: June 8-11, 1995 by La Barbara w/ Tao Chen (Dizi), Sisi Chen (yangqi) and Bao-Li Zhang (Erhu), members of The Chinese Music Ensemble of New York
at St. Mark's Danspace, NYC.
"in the shadow and act of the haunting place" [1995] *(SA)
For voice and chamber ensemble (hrn, tba, pno, perc, vn, vc). Premiere: January 17,1995 by San Francisco Contemporary Music Players at Veterans' Building Green Room, San Francisco, CA.
"The Misfortune of the Immortals" [1994-95]
A collaborative (co-composers Mark Coniglio, La Barbara and Morton Subotnick) interdisciplinary interactive media opera for voices, dancers, actors, video projections (by Steina and Woody Vasulka), MIDI instruments and interactive
computer systems allowing onstage performers to interactively control the theatrical environment. Commissioned by Walker Art Center, Spoleto Festival and California Institute of the Arts, made possible by a grant from Meet The Composer/Reader's Digest Commissioning
Program, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Lila Wallace - Reader's Digest Fund. Premiere: April 24-27, 1996: "Three Sites/Multiple Views Festival", a telecommunications event taking place in three cities simultaneously: The Kitchen Center, NYC; The Electronic Cafe, Santa Monica (sponsored by California Institute of the Arts Center for Experiments in Art, Information and
Technology (CEAIT)) and Site Santa Fe. Workshops/performances in 1992: Yellow Springs Institute, PA. Workshops/performances in 1993: Atlantic Center for the Arts, FL. Workshops/performances in 1994: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN and
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
"73 Poems" [1993]
A collaboration with text artist Kenneth Goldsmith, settings (of the 79 poems in the series) for multiple voices with electronic modification. Commissioned by Permanent Press for publication as a book with CD. World Premiere of complete work: December 4, 1993 at Wolfson Gallery, Miami. Other premieres include: January 20, 1993 at The Drawing Center, NYC: 26 excerpts; March 7, 1993 at List
Gallery/MIT Visual Arts Center, Cambridge: 37 excerpts. Recorded for Lovely Music CD3002: "73 Poems", released 1994.
"ShamanSong" [1992]
Suite for voice, percussion and tape. World premiere: March 2, 1992 by La Barbara (voice) with David Moss (voice, percussion) at Athens Concert Hall, Athens, Greece.
"Awakenings II" [1992] *(SA)
For voice and chamber ensemble. Premiere: January 28, 1992 by Ensemble 21, conducted by Arthur Weisberg,
at Arizona State University Concert Hall, Tempe, AZ.
"Face to Face" [1992]
For voices, electronics and percussion. US Premiere: February 1, 1992 by Joan La Barbara and David Moss at SonicWorks Festival, DiverseWorks, Houston, TX. European Premiere: March 2, 1992 at Athens Concert Hall, Athens, Greece.
"to hear the wind roar" [1991] *(SA)
A work for multiple voices and hand-held percussion, in 3 versions: (1) solo voice and percussion with tape, (2) 8-voice chamber vocal ensemble and percussion, (3) full chorus, with hand-held percussion. Commissioned by The Center for Contemporary Art in Santa Fe, The Gregg Smith Singers and I Cantori, made possible by a grant from
Meet The Composer/Reader's Digest Commissioning Program, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. Premieres:
May 9 & October 24, 1992 by I Cantori (vocal ensemble version) at Occidental College, Pasadena, CA; July 18, 1992 by Gregg Smith Singers (full chorus version) at Adirondack American Music Festival, and St. Peter's Church, NYC on March 6,1993; August 8, 1992 by La Barbara (solo version) at Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe. European premiere: June 10, 1993 at Podewil, Berlin, Germany.
"Awakenings" [1991] *(SA)
For chamber ensemble. Commissioned by the University of Iowa to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Center for New Music. Premiere: September 21, 1991 by University of Iowa faculty musicians at University of Iowa Center for New Music.
Recorded for Music & Arts CD-830, CD released 1994-95.
"Anima" [1991]
Filmscore for voice, percussion, electronic keyboard synthesizers, computer (all performed by La Barbara), gamelan (Kristina Melcher), Tar and Dumbek (Polly Tapia Ferber), cello (Erika Duke) and indigenous Diablo Canyon sounds. Premiere: September 25, 1992 at New York Independent Filmakers Festival, NYC.
"Klangbild Koeln" [1991]
A sound painting for voice, percussion and indigenous koeln sounds. Akustische International Competition Selection 1990-91. Premiere: May 7, 1991, WestDeutscher Rundfunk-Koeln broadcast.
"In the Dreamtime" [1990]
A self-portrait sound collage of 17 works spanning 14 years. Commissioned by WestDeutscher Rundfunk-Koeln. Premiere: May 7, 1991.
"Events in (the) Elsewhere" [1990]
An opera inspired by the life and work of British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, developed with funding from National Endowment for the Arts Opera/Music Theater- New American Works program. Premiere: August 24-25, 1990 at Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe.
Performance: April 24-27, 1996: "Three Sites/Multiple Views Festival", a telecommunications event taking place in three cities simultaneously: The Kitchen Center, NYC; The Electronic Cafe, Santa Monica (sponsored by
California Institute of the Arts Center for Experiments in Art, Information and
Technology (CEAIT)) and Site Santa Fe. (A performance score is available upon request, indicating interactive elements and triggering materials.)
"l'albero dalle foglie azzurre (the tree of blue leaves)" [1989] *(SA)
For solo oboe and tape. Commissioned by The Saint Louis Symphony for Barbara Herr Orland, oboe. Premiere: March 20, 1989 by Barbara Herr Orland (oboe) at Saint Louis Symphony Discovery Series, Sheldon Performing Arts Centre, St. Louis, MO. Recorded September 19, 1992 by Barbara Herr Orland for Centaur Records,
"The Virtuoso in the Computer Age-III; CDCM Computer Music Series Vol. 13" (Centaur CRC 2166), CD released 1993.
"Urban Tropics" [1988]
A sound painting for voice, percussion and indigenous Miami sounds. Commissioned by New Music America-Miami Festival 1988. Broadcast premiere: December 12, 1988 in Miami, Florida.
Concert premiere: March 30, 1989 at Ventura City Hall concerts series. Recorded for Lovely Music CD3001: "Sound Paintings", released 1990.
"Conversations" [1988]
Unaccompanied solo voice. Premiere: August 3, 1988 at Otto Botanico, Rome, Italy.
"Prologue to The Book of Knowing ... (and) of Overthrowing" [1987-89]
Solo performance aria based on female creation myths from 6 cultures (music composed by Joan La Barbara; projections and costumes by Judy Chicago; lighting design by Aubrey Wilson; movement consultant, Bela Lewitzky; movement coach, Rhaz Zeisler; photographer & staging coach, Donald Woodman). Production supported in part by the New Mexico Arts Division and the National
Endowment for the Arts. Premiere: July 6, 1988 at 1st New York International Festival of the Arts, Merkin Concert Hall, NYC.
"Helga's Lied" [1986] *(SA)
For voice and chamber ensemble. Commissioned by Esbjerg Ensemble. World premiere: October 10, 1988 by La Barbara (voice) with Esberg Ensemble at Aarhus Concert Hall, Aarhus, Denmark.
US Premiere: June 1, 1989 at Ojai Music Festival, with Lukas Foss conducting, in Ojai, CA. Rescored for voice, cello and electronics. Premiere: December 13, 1986 by La Barbara and Erika Duke at Kunsthaus, Zurich, Switzerland.
"ROTHKO" [1986]
For voice, 16 voices on tape and 2 bowed pianos. Premiered April 5, 1986, at New Music America Festival at The Rothko Chapel, Houston, TX.
"Voice Windows" [1986]
For voice and interactive video systems. Premiere: March 3, 1986, with video collaboration with Steina and Woody Vasulka at Los Angeles Theatre Center, Los Angeles, CA.
"A Rothko Study" [1985]
For voice and chamber ensemble. Premiere: November 3, 1985 at New Music America Festival, Bing Auditorium, Los Angeles County Museum, Los Angeles, CA.
"Loose Tongues" [1985]
For multiple voices. Commissioned for National Public Radio's "House with a View". Premiere: September 1986 at The Performance Gallery in San Francisco, CA. First broadcast as radiowork,
then rescored for voice with tape. Recorded for "CD Connection", New Arts Program [benefit] CD, released 1996.
"After 'Obervogelsang'" [1984]
For amplified voice and tape. Premiere: June 5, 1984 at New York Philharmonic Horizons Festival, Avery Fisher Hall, NYC.
"Time(d) Trials and Unscheduled Events" [1984] *(SA)
For multiple voices. Commissioned by The Independent Composers Association for "Sounds in Motion" radio
series broadcast for Los Angeles Olympics Arts Festival. Premiere broadcast: 1984, KUSC-FM for Los Angeles Olympics Arts Festival. Rescored for 8 voices. Premiere: July 4, 1987 by I Cantori in Los Angeles, CA.
Recorded for Lovely Music CD3001: "Sound Paintings", released 1990.
"Berliner Traeume (Berlin Dreaming)" [1983]
For multi-track tape. Commissioned for Airworks radio series. Premiere broadcast: January 1984 on WNYC-FM. Rescored for voice and tape. Premiere: February 18, 1984 at Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN.
Recorded for Lovely Music CD3001: "Sound Paintings", released 1990.
"The Solar Wind III" [1984] *(SA)
For amplified voice and orchestra. Premiere: May 12, 1984 by (Bay Area) Women's Philharmonic with Jeannine Wager, conducting at The Scottish Rite Hall, San Francisco, CA.
"The Solar Wind II" [1983] *(SA)
For mixed chorus and instruments (fl/picc, kybrd synth., 2 perc). Commissioned by Ars Nova vocal ensemble. Premiere: November 14, 1983 by Ars Nova on Danmarks Radio, Copenhagen, Denmark.
"The Solar Wind" [1982] *(SA)
For voice and chamber ensemble. Commissioned by National Endowment for the Arts Composer Fellowship. Premiere: February 7, 1983 by Los Angeles Philharmonic with William Kraft conducting,
at Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles Music Center, Los Angeles, CA. Recorded for "the Art of Joan La Barbara", Nonesuch Records LP 78029-1, released 1985.
"Vlissingen Harbor" [1982] *(SA)
For voice and chamber ensemble. Premiere: December 6, 1982 for Monday Evening Concerts, Bing Auditorium, Los Angeles
County Museum, Los Angeles, CA. Recorded for "the Art of Joan La Barbara", Nonesuch Records LP 78029-1, released 1985.
"Winds of the Canyon" [1982]
For voice and tape. Premiere: November 12, 1982 by San Francisco Symphony for New and Unusual Music series at Japan Art Center, San Francisco, CA.
Rescored and restaged as theater work, directed by Barbara Karp, visual environment by Lita Albuquerque. Premiere: March 3, 1986 at Los Angeles Theatre Center, Los Angeles, CA.
"Silent Scroll" [1982]
For voice, cello (or double bass), flute, zoomoozophone, cup gongs. Commissioned by Newband. Premiere: April 25, 1982 by Newband at Symphony Space, NYC.
Recorded for "Microtonal Works by Partch, Cage, La Barbara and Drummond/Newband", Mode 18, released 1990.
"as lightning comes, in flashes" [1981] Mixed media performance environment with 7 singers, 5 dancers, stereo tape, 8-channel tape, electronics, video and costumes. Premiere: February 28, 1981 at Contemporary Music Festival '81, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA. Performers- Voices: Joan La Barbara, Sharon Krofina, Elizabeth Lindenfeld, Guillermo Gomez-Pena, Annebarbe Kau, Kim MacInnes, Guy Ornduno; Dancers: Maria Talamantes, Susanna Steg, Anne Sotelo, Sarah Bergman; Electronics: Hal Dalby, John Faverman, Rand Steiger, George ("Skip") Brunner, Steve Bilow. Recorded with Joan La Barbara doing all vocals on LP of the same name: "as lightning comes, in flashes", Wizard Records RVW2283, LP released 1983. Note: new surround-sound mix will be included on Mode Records dvd and cd recording "The Early Immersive Music of Joan La Barbara", release date in 2017.
"October Music: Star Showers and Extraterrestrials" [1980]
For voice and multi-track tape. Commissioned by National Endowment for the Arts, Visual Arts Fellowship. Premiere: October 1980 at The American Center for Students and Artists, Paris, France.
Recorded for "the Art of Joan La Barbara", Nonesuch Records LP 78029-1, released 1985.
"Erin" [1980]
For voice and multi-track tape. Commissioned by VPRO radio, Hilversum Holland. Premiered first as radiowork on VPRO, 1980. Premiered as work for live voice and tape: June 21, 1980,
at Theatre Gerard Philipe, Paris, France. Recorded: "as lightning comes, in flashes", Wizard Records RVW2283, LP released 1983. Recorded for Lovely Music CD3001: "Sound Paintings", released 1990.
"ShadowSong" [1979]
For voice and multi-track tape. Commissioned by RIAS-Berlin . Premiered as work for live voice and tape: October 5 & 6, 1979
at La Chapelle de Sorbonne, Festival d'Automne in Paris, France. Recorded for "Reluctant Gypsy", Wizard Records RVW2279, LP released 1979. Recorded for Lovely Music CD3001: "Sound Paintings", released 1990
"Klee Alee" [1979]
For voice and multi-track tape. Commissioned by RIAS-Berlin. Premiered as work for live voice and tape: October 5-6, 1979, at La Chapelle de Sorbonne, Festival d'Automne, Paris, France.
Recorded for "Reluctant Gypsy", Wizard Records RVW2279, LP released 1979. Recorded for Lovely Music CD3001: "Sound Paintings", released 1990.
"California Chant" ("Raicha Tria") [1979]
For amplified or unamplified voice. Premiere: October 27, 1979 at K-19 performance space, Berlin Text-Sound Festival, Berlin, Germany.
"The Executioner's Bracelet" [1979]
For multi-track tape, a gallery installation piece. Commissioned by Galerie Yvon Lambert. Premiere: September 1979 at Galerie Yvon Lambert, Paris, France.
"Responsive Resonance with Feathers" [1979] *(SA)
For piano and tape. Commissioned by Joan Tower. Premiere: May 21, 1979 by Joan Tower, piano at Christ and St. Stephen's Church, NYC.
"Twelve for Five in Eight" [1979] *(SA)
For five voices. Premiere: April 29, 1979 by La Barbara with The Extended Vocal Techniques Ensemble of San Diego (Linda Vickerman,
Deborah Kavasch, Ed Harkins, Philip Larson) at California Institute of the Arts, Contemporary Music Festival, Valencia, CA.
"quatre petites betes" [1978-79]
A quadraphonic soundance. Commissioned by Annette Baack. Premiered as a performance work for voice and tape: May 9, 1979 at Baack'scher Kunstraum, Koeln, Germany.
Premiered as installation work: May 1979 at daadgalerie, Berlin, Germany. Recorded for "Reluctant Gypsy", Wizard Records RVW2279, LP released 1979;
Recorded for Lovely Music CD3003: "Voice is the Original Instrument", released 2003.
"Autumn Signal" [1978]
For voice and Buchla synthesizer. Premiere: October 22, 1978 at Metamusik Festival, Berlin, Germany. Recorded for "Reluctant Gypsy" LP, Wizard Records RVW2279, released 1979;
Recorded for Lovely Music CD3003: "Voice is the Original Instrument", released 2003.
"Chandra" [1978] *(SA)
For solo voice, male chorus and chamber orchestra. Commissioned by Pro Musica Nova Festival, Radio Bremen.
Premiere: May 7, 1978 by La Barbara with NordDeutsche Rundfunk Orchestra und Chor at Pro Musica Nova Festival, Bremen, Germany.
"Ides of March, No. 3a" [1978] *(SA)
For trombone, tuba, 2 voices and percussion. Premiere: March 16, 1978 at California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA.
Performers: Rebecca Bower (trombone), David Downs (tuba), Joan Callopy and Joan La Barbara (voices), John Fitzgerald (percussion).
"Ides of March, No. 3" [1978] *(SA)
For trombone, tuba, voice and percussion. Premiere: March 11, 1978 at Theatre Vanguard, Los Angeles, CA. Performers: Rebecca Bower (trombone), David Downs (tuba), Joan La Barbara (voice),
John Fitzgerald (percussion).
"CYCLONE CON(S)T(R)AINED" [1978]
A sound installation. Premiere: January 15-29, 1978 at Project Studios One, Institute for Art and Urban Resources, NYC.
"Twelvesong (Zwoelfgesang)" [1977]
For multi-track tape. Commissioned by Radio Bremen. Premiered in November 1977 as radiowork on RadioBremen, Germany. Premiered as work for live voice and tape: May 6, 1978 at
Pro Musica Nova Festival, Bremen, Germany. Recorded "as lightning comes, in flashes", Wizard Records RVW2283, LP released 1983; Recorded for Lovely Music CD3003: "Voice is the Original Instrument", released 2003.
"Layers (As Is)" [1977]
For voice, electronics, acoustic and electric percussion. Premiere: October 25, 1977 by La Barbara and Bruce Ditmas with Sara Rudner Dance Company at Entermedia Theatre, Dance Umbrella Series, NYC.
"Ides of March, No. 7" [1977] *(SA)
For voice, french horn, trombone and percussion. Premiere: June 19, 1977 at Sonesta Koepelzaal, HOLLAND FESTIVAL, Amsterdam.
Performers: La Barbara (voice), Ricardo Almeida (french horn), Annemarie Roelofs (trombone), David Weiss (percussion).
"Loisaida" [1977]
For voice, kalimba, steel drum and hi-hat cymbal. Premiere: February 17 & 18, 1978 by La Barbara, Bruce Ditmas and
Warren Smith at The Kitchen Center for Video and Music, NYC.
"Cathing" [1977]
For voice and tape. Premiere: February 17 & 18, 1978 at The Kitchen Center for Video and Music, NYC. Recorded for "TAPESONGS", CHIAROSCURO CR-196, LP released 1978; Recorded for Lovely Music CD3003: "Voice is the Original Instrument", released 2003.
"Ides of March, No. 4a" [1976-77] *(SA)
For amplified voice with tenor saxophone, trombone, voice and percussion on tape. Premiere: August 10, 1977 at Ste. Maximim, Provence, France.
"CYCLONE" [1977]
A sound environment consisting of pre-recorded synthesized winds, phase shifters, amplified and electronic percussion, electric guitar, voices, suspended cymbal and a
light-panning device. Premiere: May 14, 1977 at ISCM League of Composers Welmusiktage '77 in Bonn, Germany. Won International Jury Award for sound environment.
"Ides of March, No. 5a" [1977] *(SA)
For english horn, voice, bowed vibraphone and percussion. Premiere: April 6, 1977 at Carnegie Recital Hall, NYC.
"Ides of March, No. 5" [1977] *(SA)
For english horn, voice and percussion. Premiere: April 6, 1977 by Nora Post (oboe), Joan La Barbara (voice), & Jan Williams (percussion) at Carnegie Recital Hall, NYC.
"Chords and Gongs" [1976]
For voice, chinese cymbal, finger cymbals and gongs. Premiere: December 17, 1976 by La Barbara and Bruce Ditmas at The New School, NYC.
"Ides of March, No. 4" [1976] *(SA)
For tenor saxophone, trombone, voice and percussion. Premiere: December 17, 1976 by Ned Rothenberg (tenor saxophone), Peter Zummo (trombone), La Barbara (voice) and Bruce Ditmas (percussion) at The New School, NYC.
"Les Oiseaux qui chantent dans ma tete" [1976]
For voice alone. Premiere: November 4, 1976 on Radio France (live broadcast).
"Des Accords pour Teeny" [1976]
For voice alone. Premiere: November 4, 1976 on Radio France (live broadcast). Recorded for Lovely Music CD3003: "Voice is the Original Instrument", released 2003.
"Chords" [1976]
For amplified voice alone. Premiere: April 22, 1976 by La Barbara at Composers' Forum, WBAI Free Music Store, NYC.
"An Exaltation of Larks" [1976]
For voice with electronics, MOOG drum, synthesizer. Premiere: April 22, 1976 by La Barbara and Bruce Ditmas at Composers' Forum, WBAI Free Music Store, NYC.
"Ides of March, No. 2" [1976] *(SA)
For soprano saxophone, voice and percussion. Premiere: April 22, 1976 by Richard Landry (soprano saxophone),
La Barbara (voice) and Bruce Ditmas (percussion) at Composers' Forum, WBAI Free Music Store, NYC.
"Space Testing" [1976]
For acoustic voice in a sonic environment. Premiere: 1976 at Theatre Vanguard, Los Angeles, CA.
"Thunder" [1975]
For 6 tympani and voice with electronics. Commissioned by CAPS Music Fellowship. Premiere: February 15, 1975 by La Barbara, Warren Smith (tympani) and Bruce Ditmas (tympani) at The Kitchen, NYC.
Recorded for "TAPESONGS", CHIAROSCURO CR-196, LP released 1978.
"Hunters" [1975]
Video performance piece for vocalist in an outdoor environment. Premiere: October 18, 1975 at Mills College, Oakland, CA.
"Vermont II" [1975]
Video performance piece for vocalist in an outdoor environment. Premiere: October 18, 1975 at Mills College, Oakland, CA.
"WARP-32375-1" [1975]
For voice and percussion. Premiere: May 25, 1977 by La Barbara and Bruce Ditmas (percussion) at Maison de la Culture, Rennes, France.
"Performance Piece" (1974, revised 1979) *(SA)
For solo voice. Premiere: March 17, 1979 at 1750 Arch Street, Berkeley, CA.
"Circular Song" [1975] *(SA)
For amplified voice alone. Premiere: December 19 & 20, 1975 at Environ, NYC. Recorded: "Voice is the Original Instrument", Wizard Records RVW-2266, LP released 1976; Recorded for Lovely Music CD3003: "Voice is the Original Instrument", released 2003.
"An Exploration in Sound and Movement" [1975]
For two performers, using voice and movement. Premiere: December 19 & 20, 1975 by La Barbara and Dana Reitz at Environ, NYC.
"Ides of March" [1974] *(SA)
For string quartet, 3 voices (soprano, alto, baritone), percussion and contra-bass, arranged in three trios. Premiere: February 15, 1976 by Martha Caplin (violin), Norbert Osterreich (violin), Natasha Ghent (viola),
Barbara Bogatin (cello), Sheila Schonbrun (soprano), Joan La Barbara (alto), Elliot Levine (baritone), Bruce Ditmas (percussion), & Harvie Swartz (contra-bass) at The Kitchen, NYC.
"Hear What I Feel" [1974] *(SA)
A performance piece involving sensory deprivation for amplified vocalist with assistant. Premiere: January 15, 1975 at Washington Square Church, NYC. Recorded for Lovely Music CD3003: "Voice is the Original Instrument", released 2003.
"Vocal Extensions" [1975]
For voice with electronics. Premiere: January 15, 1975 at Washington Square Church, NYC. Recorded: "Voice is the Original Instrument", Wizard Records RVW-2266,
LP released 1976; Recorded for Lovely Music CD3003: "Voice is the Original Instrument", released 2003.
"Voice Piece: One-Note Internal Resonance Investigation" [1974] *(SA)
For amplified voice alone. Premiere: December 9, 1974 at St. Mark's Church, NYC. Recorded: "Voice is the Original Instrument", Wizard Records RVW-2266,
LP released 1976; Recorded for Lovely Music CD3003: "Voice is the Original Instrument", released 2003.
*(SA) indicates score available
*(I-P) indicates in-progress
[All performances by Joan La Barbara unless otherwise noted]
Joan La Barbara's music is published by Joan La Barbara (publisher member ASCAP)
Recordings issued by Centaur, Chiaroscuro, Elektra-Nonesuch, Lovely Music, Music & Arts, New World,
Permanent Press, Wizard Music, (please see discography for listing of recordings)
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