August | 2013 | :::::::::::: Ekho :::::::::::: Women in Sonic Art

Joan La Barbara

Joan La Barbara (born 1947 in Philadelphia, PA) is an American Composer, Performer and Sound Artist. Her work explores the human voice as a multi-faceted instrument, expanding traditional boundaries in developing a unique vocabulary of experimental and extended vocal techniques.

photo: Julie Graber, 2002

Rehearsing “Still and Moving Lines in Families of Hyperbolas” Cunningham Studios, NYC, 1974.[Photo : Mary Lucier]

photo: Roberto Massoti, 1976

La Barbara has collaborated with artists including Morton Subotnick, Alvin Lucier, Christian Marclay and Merce Cunningham, and in the early part of her career performed and recorded with Steve Reich, Philip Glass and several jazz artists, developing her own unique vocal/instrumental sound. Hailed as “one of the great vocal virtuosos of our time”, she premiered landmark compositions written for her by noted American composers, including Morton Feldman’s ‘Three Voices’; Morton Subotnick’s chamber opera ‘Jacob’s Room’; and the title role in Robert Ashley’s opera ‘Now Eleanor’s Idea’; as well as Philip Glass and Robert Wilson’s ‘Einstein on the Beach’; Steve Reich’s ‘Drumming’; John Cage’s ‘Solo for Voice 45’, and many more.

David Tudor’s Rainforest performance April 19, 1975 at The Kitchen (59 Wooster Street). Tom Johnson is in foreground with back to camera, I am facing camera, both listening to hoop; in background at right is Laurie Speigel. [photo: Kathy Landman]

Joan La Barbara in performance at LA Theatre Center (3/3/86) of her work “Winds of the Canyon” with sets by visual artist Lita Albuquerque (standing in shadow at left). [photo: Debbie Richardson]

oan La Barbara and John Cage playing chess before a rehearsal at his loft photo: © 1976 Michael McKenzie

In 2008, La Barbara was awarded the American Music Center’s Letter of Distinction for significant contributions to the field of contemporary American music.

Read a full biography alongside recordings and archival photographs via the artist’s website here

Above: Klee Alee (scored for multiple voices) was commissioned by RIAS (Radio in the American Sector) in 1979 and was released on her Reluctant Gypsy LP, Wizard Records. The piece takes inspiration from the composer’s experiences while viewing a Paul Klee painting.