Walter Maioli
Encyclopedia
Walter Maioli is an Italian researcher, paleorganologist, poly-instrumentalist and composer.
Specialized in experimental archaeology
and music, in particular that of archaic civilization. He has been researching the music of antiquity and prehistory for more than 35 years. Always interested in the music of the Mediterranean, he has gone on journeys to discover the folkloristic Italian and Mediterranean traditions learning the Arabic, African, oriental and European music since the beginning of the seventies.
In 1972 he founded the pioneer world music
group Aktuala
group, dedicated to folkloristic African and Asian music.
In the eighties Walter Maioli’s researches focused on the field of prehistoric instruments, his work was presented at the Archaeological Symposium of Amsterdam for the opening of the Den Haag Museum. In 1987 he prepared the Natural Art Laboratory of Morimondo in the Ticino Park, working on the Art of the Nature, publishing books on the subject for the Jaca Book: “Origins, sounds and music”, and for Giorgio Mondadori: “Orchestra of the Nature”.
In 1991 he displayed the collection called “The origins of musical instruments” to the History of Nature Museum in Milan and presented “Art of the stars” sounds for the planetarium, at Ulrico Hoelpi Civic Planetarium in Milan in collaboration with Fiorella Terenzi
. Starting in 1994, for one and a half years he was coordinating the musical part of the Archeon Archaeological Theme Park in Alphen
a/d Rijn in the Netherlands, producing the CD called “200.000 years in music”.
In 1995 he founded Synaulia
, a team of musicians, archeologists, paleorganologists and choreographers dedicated to the application of their historical research to ancient music and dance, in particular to the ancient Etruscan and Roman periods, carrying out an intense activity of conferences, seminars, and concerts in Europe, in particular in the Netherlands and Germany. In Italy some of his performances were presented on archaeological sites such as Mausoleo di Augusto, Mercati Traianei, Terme di Diocleziano, Ostia Antica
, Villa Adriana, Preneste, Pompei
and Stabia, with the scope of recreating the sound atmosphere and executive context of the Roman age. When Michael Hoffman (American director), chose the Synaulia group to participate in the shooting of the movie Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1998, Walter Maioli took care of the reproduction of the musical instruments.
Among the collaborations of Walter Maioli and Synaulia
there are performances with Giorgio Albertazzi: “Eros voglio cantare”, “Intorno a Dante”, and “Mammi, Pappi e Sirene in Magna Grecia, and the music composition for the first two episodes of the television program on TV RAI 2 “Albertazzi e Fo raccontato la storia del teatro italiano”. Two songs of Synaulia were used in Gladiator
, directed by Ridley Scott
.
Walter Maioli and the Synaulia took care of the musical parts of Rome of BBC-HBO, Empire of ABC and the New Line Cinema’s Nativity (2006), let alone other documentaries of the BBC
, CNN
, Japanese TV, Discovery Channel
, National Geographic and experimental archaeological videos for the RAI
, CNN, Museo Nazionale Etrusco of Villa Giulia in Rome and othee museums in Germany. From November 2007 Walter Maioli with the Fondazione Ras has started the laboratory “Synaulia in Stabiae” in Castellamaare di Stabiae.
Specialized in experimental archaeology
Experimental archaeology
Experimental archaeology employs a number of different methods, techniques, analyses, and approaches in order to generate and test hypotheses, based upon archaeological source material, like ancient structures or artifacts. It should not be confused with primitive technology which is not concerned...
and music, in particular that of archaic civilization. He has been researching the music of antiquity and prehistory for more than 35 years. Always interested in the music of the Mediterranean, he has gone on journeys to discover the folkloristic Italian and Mediterranean traditions learning the Arabic, African, oriental and European music since the beginning of the seventies.
In 1972 he founded the pioneer world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
group Aktuala
Aktuala
Aktuala were a pioneering world music band from Italy, although their often categorised as progressive rock, psychedelic, or avant garde. The name comes from the Esperanto for "contemporary"...
group, dedicated to folkloristic African and Asian music.
In the eighties Walter Maioli’s researches focused on the field of prehistoric instruments, his work was presented at the Archaeological Symposium of Amsterdam for the opening of the Den Haag Museum. In 1987 he prepared the Natural Art Laboratory of Morimondo in the Ticino Park, working on the Art of the Nature, publishing books on the subject for the Jaca Book: “Origins, sounds and music”, and for Giorgio Mondadori: “Orchestra of the Nature”.
In 1991 he displayed the collection called “The origins of musical instruments” to the History of Nature Museum in Milan and presented “Art of the stars” sounds for the planetarium, at Ulrico Hoelpi Civic Planetarium in Milan in collaboration with Fiorella Terenzi
Fiorella Terenzi
Fiorella Terenzi is an Italian astrophysicist, author and musician who is best known for taking recordings of radio waves from galaxies and turning them into music...
. Starting in 1994, for one and a half years he was coordinating the musical part of the Archeon Archaeological Theme Park in Alphen
Alphen
Alphen can refer to several towns in the Netherlands:* Alphen aan den Rijn, town in the province of South Holland* Alphen, South Holland, a former municipality, including Alphen aan den Rijn...
a/d Rijn in the Netherlands, producing the CD called “200.000 years in music”.
In 1995 he founded Synaulia
Synaulia
Synaulia is a team of musicians, archeologists, paleorganologists and choreographers dedicated to the application of their historical research toancient music and dance, in particular to the ancient Etruscan and Roman periods.- History :...
, a team of musicians, archeologists, paleorganologists and choreographers dedicated to the application of their historical research to ancient music and dance, in particular to the ancient Etruscan and Roman periods, carrying out an intense activity of conferences, seminars, and concerts in Europe, in particular in the Netherlands and Germany. In Italy some of his performances were presented on archaeological sites such as Mausoleo di Augusto, Mercati Traianei, Terme di Diocleziano, Ostia Antica
Ostia Antica
Ostia Antica is a large archeological site, close to the modern suburb of Ostia , that was the location of the harbour city of ancient Rome, which is approximately 30 km to the northeast. "Ostia" in Latin means "mouth". At the mouth of the River Tiber, Ostia was Rome's seaport, but, due to...
, Villa Adriana, Preneste, Pompei
Pompei
Pompei is a city and comune in the province of Naples in Campania, southern Italy, famous for its ancient Roman ruins. As of 2010 its population was of 25,671.-History:...
and Stabia, with the scope of recreating the sound atmosphere and executive context of the Roman age. When Michael Hoffman (American director), chose the Synaulia group to participate in the shooting of the movie Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1998, Walter Maioli took care of the reproduction of the musical instruments.
Among the collaborations of Walter Maioli and Synaulia
Synaulia
Synaulia is a team of musicians, archeologists, paleorganologists and choreographers dedicated to the application of their historical research toancient music and dance, in particular to the ancient Etruscan and Roman periods.- History :...
there are performances with Giorgio Albertazzi: “Eros voglio cantare”, “Intorno a Dante”, and “Mammi, Pappi e Sirene in Magna Grecia, and the music composition for the first two episodes of the television program on TV RAI 2 “Albertazzi e Fo raccontato la storia del teatro italiano”. Two songs of Synaulia were used in Gladiator
Gladiator (2000 film)
Gladiator is a 2000 historical epic film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel and Richard Harris. Crowe portrays the loyal Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed...
, directed by Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
.
Walter Maioli and the Synaulia took care of the musical parts of Rome of BBC-HBO, Empire of ABC and the New Line Cinema’s Nativity (2006), let alone other documentaries of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, Japanese TV, Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
, National Geographic and experimental archaeological videos for the RAI
RAI
RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...
, CNN, Museo Nazionale Etrusco of Villa Giulia in Rome and othee museums in Germany. From November 2007 Walter Maioli with the Fondazione Ras has started the laboratory “Synaulia in Stabiae” in Castellamaare di Stabiae.
Discografia
- AktualaAktualaAktuala were a pioneering world music band from Italy, although their often categorised as progressive rock, psychedelic, or avant garde. The name comes from the Esperanto for "contemporary"...
, “Aktuala” brani: Altamira and Mammuth R.C., LP - Bla Bla, 1973 - AktualaAktualaAktuala were a pioneering world music band from Italy, although their often categorised as progressive rock, psychedelic, or avant garde. The name comes from the Esperanto for "contemporary"...
, “La Terra” (The Earth),LP - Bla bla, 1974 and CD Artis, 1992 - AktualaAktualaAktuala were a pioneering world music band from Italy, although their often categorised as progressive rock, psychedelic, or avant garde. The name comes from the Esperanto for "contemporary"...
, “Tapetto VolanteTapetto VolanteTapetto Volante is the third and final album by Italian world music pioneers Aktuala. It was released on Bla Bla records in 1976. It is the second recording of percussionist Trilok Gurtu-Profile:...
” (Flying Carpet) LP Bla Bla, 1976, CD Artist 1993 - Futuro AnticoFuturo Antico (band)Futuro Antico is a pioneering World Music group comprising Walter Maioli with Riccardo Sinigaglia and Gabin Dabiré...
, Futuro AnticoFuturo Antico (album)Futuro Antico is the self-titled recording made by Futuro Antico in 1980. It features a mixture of synthesized and ethnic music, highlighting the role intonation plays in music. This theme was featured in Tappo Volante the last Aktuala album, which featured the mixture of ethnic sounds and studio...
Cassette K7 Soundcenter 1980 - Walter Maioli “Anthology”, 1985, Sound Reporters, Amsterdam
- Art of primitive sound, “Musical instruments from prehistory: the paleolithic, Archeosound XA1001, 1991
- Archeon, “200.000 Jarr Muziek”, 1995, Archeon, WTWCD 950301, 1995
- SynauliaSynauliaSynaulia is a team of musicians, archeologists, paleorganologists and choreographers dedicated to the application of their historical research toancient music and dance, in particular to the ancient Etruscan and Roman periods.- History :...
, "Music of Ancient Rome, Vol.1 Wind instruments", Amiata RecordsAmiata RecordsAmiata Records is an independent cross-cultural record label founded in 1992 by Matteo Silva and Marc Eagleton withheadquarters in the historic center of Florence and offices in London, Lugano and Rome. Amiata derives its name from the mountain in southern Tuscany, one of the most un-spoilt areas...
- ARNR 1396, 1996 - Taraxacum – Espolazione elettronica della NaturaWalter Maioli – Nirodh Fortini, CD – allegato alla rivista Anthropos & Iatria n. 4 – 2001
- SynauliaSynauliaSynaulia is a team of musicians, archeologists, paleorganologists and choreographers dedicated to the application of their historical research toancient music and dance, in particular to the ancient Etruscan and Roman periods.- History :...
, CD "Music of Ancient Rome, Vol.2 String instruments", Amiata RecordsAmiata RecordsAmiata Records is an independent cross-cultural record label founded in 1992 by Matteo Silva and Marc Eagleton withheadquarters in the historic center of Florence and offices in London, Lugano and Rome. Amiata derives its name from the mountain in southern Tuscany, one of the most un-spoilt areas...
, 2002 - Walter Maioli - I Flauti Etruschi - Tra Mito, Immaginario e Archeologia, Soundcenter - CDS01, 2003
- Walter Maioli - Caverne Sonore – I suoni delle stalattiti e stalagmiti - Toirano and Borgio Verezzi - Liguria, Italy, Soundcenter - CDS02, 2006
- Futuro AnticoFuturo Antico (band)Futuro Antico is a pioneering World Music group comprising Walter Maioli with Riccardo Sinigaglia and Gabin Dabiré...
– “Intonazioni ArchetipeIntonazioni Archetipe (album)Intonazioni Archetipe is the recording made by Futuro Antico in 2005 after a 25-year absence. It again features a mixture of synthesized and ethnic music, highlighting the role tuning systems plays in music .-Tracks:# Royal Cubit # African pink whale...
”, Soundcenter, CDS03, 2007