Bernard Parmegiani / Piotr Kamler - Chronopolis

Bernard Parmegiani (Paris, France, 1927) started off as a sound engineer for French television (ORTF later known as RTF). Originally a mime during the four years studies at Lecoq & Decroux school, he joined the Groupe de recherches musicales (GRM) in 1959 for a two years master class. His first major work (Violostries) is composed in 1962 for a choregraphy performed for Théâtre Contemporain d’Amiens directed by Jacques-Albert Cartier.

Pierre Schaeffer gave him the direction the Musique-Image departement at ORTF. He composed during that period for numerous film directors, such as R. Lapoujade, P. Foldès, P. Kamler, V. Borowczyck, P. Kast, J. Baratier or P. Kassovitz. He furthermore extended his musical researches in the field of video-art after a journey through the US. He directed three musical videos when he returned: L’Œil écoute (1973), Jeux d’artifices (1979) for the research departement of ORTF, plus L’Écran transparent (1973) in Köln (Germany) at West Deutsche Rundfunk (WDR) during his residency.

His interests goes also live: he interacted during the seventies with jazz practitioners for improv sessions with french jazz fellows J.-L. Chautemps, B. Vitet or M. Portal. He went in London to perform live with The Third Ear Band.

He realized numerous jingles & soundbites for public radio stations (France-Culture or France-Musique), public television service (Antenne 2) or airport (Aéroport de Roissy).

During his entire career, he finally realized music for stage (dance & theater), screen or media (radio & television alike). But he remains focused on electroacoustic music (or acousmatic music as defined by GRM long-time director François Bayle) conceived to be played back for the best rendition on the acousmonium broadcasting system developped by Groupe de recherches musicales (GRM).