Vox Humana:Human Vocal Experiments H.Cowell Folkways

$

106

Vox Humana: Alfred Wolfsohn's Experiments In Extension Of Human Vocal Range



Folkways FPX 123 USA 1956 LP Vinyl: vg+ (few minor scuffs)
Cover: ex- (tear on front) Mega-rare, ingeniously bizarre obscurity on the great Folkways label, documenting Wolfsohn's investigations into the untapped possibilities of the human voice using an array of experimental techniques. His philosophy abandons the conventional Western practice of placing voices into fixed ranges, instead pushing the human body's ability to produce extreme low and high tones in varying "colorings", incorporating breathing controls, and intentionally manipulating overtones. Amidst the vocal freakout insanity on this album, the attitude remains completely academic and the intention seems to be to encourage composers to utilize these techniques in new works. The included notes by avant garde American composer Henry Cowell urge just that (and, in the decades that followed, radical composers like Luciano Berio, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Mauricio Kagel would go on to employ these methods). This is a very unique recording that attempts to reveal everything the human voice is capable of outside of traditional classical conventions, from ultrasonic squeaks to sweeping octave leaps to multiphonics to imitation of string and woodwind instrumental tone qualities. "Before beautiful tones can be developed, pupils make what can only be described as 'prehistoric' sounds, sounds in which one can hear primitive fear and hate..."

Cowell was a modern American composer who studied under Charles Seeger, was admired by Arnold Schoenberg, Artur Schnabel, Kandinsky, Prunieres, Anton Webern, and Bela Bartok, was associated with Charles Ives, pioneered the use of tone clusters and inside-the-piano playing techniques, and influenced John Cage in his use of indeterminacy and incorporation of eastern scales and rhythmic modes. Other references for this experimental vocal lp: Charles Amirkhanian, Clark Coolidge, Francois Dufrene, John Cage, Robert Ashley, Brion Gysin, Kurt Schwitters, Raoul Hausmann, Joseph Beuys, Charles Bernstein, Kenneth Gaburo, Sten Hanson, Tristan Tzara, Joan La Barbara, Meredith Monk, Diamanda Galas, Pierre Henry, Cathy Berberian, Henri Chopin, Bernard Heidsieck, Yma Sumac, Miriam Burton... Check out my other auctions this week for more avant garde/experimental, early electronic/electroacoustic, free jazz/improv, 20th century classical, microtonal, audiophile, prog/psych, modern poetry, and artist records. Shipping - US shipping is 4.20 for 1-2 single records by Media Mail, then 0.50 for each additional (Priority Mail, other expedited shipping options, and insurance are all available on request). International shipping for 1 12" lp to Western Europe/UK/Scandinavia is 8.00 surface or 13.00 air; to Japan/Taiwan/Australia is 8.00 surface or 14.50 air; to Canada by air is 7.00; other international destinations vary. 7" and 10" records will cost less; heavy box sets will cost more. Combine multiple items to save on shipping. Note: I can now offer international buyers the super-cheap M-Bag bulk mail rate for orders of 8 or more lps; to most destinations this starts at 21.50 for surface mail or 33.50 for air for up to 17 lps, a huge per-record savings over standard rates for smaller parcels! Feel free to email with any shipping questions. Payment - I prefer Paypal (which allows for fastest possible shipment) and also accept money order (from US financial institutions only, including BidPay, US Postal, certified US bank check, etc., international bidders please take note!). If you are paying by Paypal and have won multiple items, please use a single Paypal payment. I will send an invoice email to all winners shortly after my auctions close, and another email after payment has been received to confirm item shipment. Packing - I pack professionally and with the utmost care drawn from years of experience trading vinyl internationally. I use new record mailers from Cameron Packaging (which I have determined are the best and most protective) reinforced with cardboard inserts and bubble wrap padding. All records are shipped with poly plastic sleeves. All packages are completely sealed with strong packing tape covering all openings. If you'd like your package done any differently, just let me know. Feel free to email me if you have any questions (need more info, want more pictures, etc.); you can use the 'ask seller a question' link above. My condition rating scale is -G+/-VG+/-EX+/-NM/M (only sealed records are M). Satisfaction guaranteed; if you have any problems with your order please contact me directly. Check out Ebay[track], my free realtime ebay auction tracker (currently in beta), which can refresh multiple auction statuses every second, alert you when bids are placed and when auctions end, let you place bids, and more. It's a useful tool for bidders, snipers, sellers, watchers... This item description is (c)opyright 2007 keymap records; please contact keymap records for permission before reproducing any text.