Songbooks_Vol_1

The Ligeti Quartet perform a series of pieces by British composer Christian Mason, inspired by two very different traditions of overtone singing: namely Tuva and Sardinia. The singing of overtones involves implementing advanced vocal techniques by which the cavities of the mouth and throat are capable of producing whistling melodies, guttural drones and other dazzling displays of a capella artistry. Mason’s insight into these traditions, as well as his deep knowledge of Western classical string techniques, has given rise to a remarkable exploration of these sounds in string quartet form.

Doing more than merely transcribing existing repertoire from within the two traditions, the ten pieces mimic vocal overtones by employing certain extended string techniques that could be said to be their string equivalents. So-called ‘artificial harmonics’ are used to represent the high Tuvan melodies, while playing sul ponticello (near the bridge) extends the normal tonal range of the instruments. These auxiliary string sounds bring to mind the work of other contemporary composers such as Arvo Pärt and Ernst Reijseger, but the quartet’s virtuosic interpretations of Mason’s experiments are quite unique and worth a listen for classical aficionados and connoisseurs of overtone singing alike.