Auf der Suche nach dem Ursprung der Obertöne (A Quest for the Origin of Harmonics)
(documentary film)
CONTENT
Harmonic Singing (also known as overtone singing) has the power to move us deeply. It is an ancient form of singing, using our voice to produce two or more tones at once. But how does it work? And how can harmonic singing have such a profound effect on us?
In the documentary Raum-Klang-Stimme (Space-Sound-Voice), filmmaker Minghao Xu takes us on a quest for the origins of harmonics, giving us insight in our amazing ability to sing harmonics. Not only a varied range of international harmonic singers is introduced, but also the scientific site is well presented, resulting in an inspirig journey through the world of sound, open to all.
Harmonic proportions are a phenomena occurring everywhere in nature, from the growth of a plant to cosmic gas clouds. The scale of the harmonics also apply to sound and can be made audible through the human voice.
Since the 1960s a singing technique, in which harmonics are made audible purposely, was discovered and used by a few musicians consciously and became popular under the name of ‘overtone singing’ or ‘harmonic chant’. Due to the rapidly growing interest, it was soon ‘discovered’ that many other cultures of the world already had a long tradition of overtone-singing: for example some tribes in Africa, South America and even Papua New Guinea. The most famous form is known from central Asia – Tuva and Mongolia, and there it is called ‘Höömii’, Throatsinging.
This film documentation, portraying seven musicians, deals with the topic of ‘overtone-singing’ and the harmonic proportions.
With:
David Hykes
Christian Bollmann
Wolfgang Saus
Danny Wetzels
Hosoo & Transmongolia
Jill Purce
Mark van Tongeren
