PRIMA MATERIA

In ’72 Roberto Laneri begins working on extra-european musical cultures and vocal techniques. Founding member of EVT (Extended Vocal Techniques) connected with the Center for Music Experiment at UCSD. In ’73 founds PRIMA MATERIA (see VOICE, OVERTONE SINGING), a vocal improvisation group which uses vocal techniques from Central Asia and Tibet in long sessions of great fascination and intensity.
The group’s debut takes place at the Autunno Musicale (Como), and for 7 years participates at prestigious festivals and events all over Europe, with great public and critical success.
PRIMA MATERIA records for several radio stations and records the LP THE TAIL OF THE TIGER for the Ananda, label, founded by Roberto Laneri with Alvin Curran and Giacinto Scelsi (‘ 77).
At the same time starts lecturing, writing articles and giving workshops on overtone singing. Appearances in various national TV television, among which “Alla ricerca dell’Arca”, “Incredibile” and “Maurizio Costanzo Show”.

PRIMA MATERIA ceases its activity in 1980, and since then Roberto Laneri appears in solo recitals (voice, electronics, clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano and sopranino saxophones) and a variety of musical situations, most often playing his own music. Occasionally in duo with other musicians, among whom Stephanie Wolff, Peter Michael Hamel, Giancarlo Schiaffini, Christina Kubisch, Daniele Patumi. Vocal research does not stop at overtone singing, but branches out into African techniques (pygmy yodelling) and falsetto used in the performance of medieval and renaissance music.

Selected Performances

• Autunno Musicale di Como
• Metamusik-Berlin
• Musik der Zeit, Colonia
• Pro Musica Nova, Bremen
• Zagreb Biennale
• Nuova Consonanza, Roma
• Teatro Musica, Roma
• Holland Festival, Amsterdam
• Milano Estate
• Oriente-Occidente, Lugano
• L’Itineraire, Parigi

Recordings

• WBAI, New York
• KPFK, Los Angeles
• WDR, Colonia
• RIAS-Berlin
• BRT, Bruxelles
• Radio Lugano
• Radio Bremen
• RAI
• THE TAIL OF THE TIGER, LP for Ananda Records, re-issued for Die Schachtel (see discography)