Harvestworks in Association with Knockdown Center Presents CYCLONE (1977) by Joan LaBarbara
CYCLONE is a quadraphonic sound performance/installation of the newly restored multichannel work by Joan La Barbara scored for multiple voices, percussion and Arp 2600 synthesizer sounds, for “semi-live” performance on multiple speakers with the original light panning device custom designed by Ralph Jones.
Installation Open from 6 pm – 10 pm
Performance with the original light panning device starts at 7 pm
Saturday May 7th, 2016
Knockdown Center
52-19 Flushing Ave Maspeth NY 11378
Tickets: $15. for both shows
The work was last performed in 1977 at PS1 in NYC (Queens) and was an award-winning sound sculpture installation/performance work (independent artist submission) at ISCM World Music Days (Weltmusiktage) in Bonn, Germany. Both installation/performances were done with analog audio tape (mixed to mono) and moved in the space using light-panning device and penlight.
The Original Light Panning Device circa 1977
Joan La Barbara (born June 8, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA) is an American vocalist and composer known for her explorations of non-conventional or “extended” vocal techniques. Considered to be a vocal virtuoso in the field of contemporary music,[1] she is credited with advancing a new vocabulary of vocal sounds including trills, whispers, cries, sighs, inhaled tones, and multiphonics (singing two or more pitches simultaneously).
The Immersive Early Music of Joan La Barbara will be available on Mode Records. This project was supported by the Aaron Copland Fund, New Music USA and the Harvestworks Artist in Residence Program.