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Vox Humana: Alfred Wolfsohn's Experiments in Extension of Human Vocal Range

Various Artists
Vox Humana: Alfred Wolfsohn's Experiments in Extension of Human Vocal Range

Have you ever considered what the full range of tone and pitch the human voice is? Have you wondered if there was some latent singing ability that all people were capable of achieving?

Alfred Wolfsohn was inspired to explore such questions about vocal range after serving in the World War I. Haunted by cries on the battlefield and suffering from post-traumatic stress, he began experiments as a form of therapy. Alternating between vocal and instrumental (including piano, violin, viola, cello, and double bass) exercises, Vox Humana not only showcases the potential vocal range of the human voice, but also the various expressive timbres and tone qualities that can be utilized. His experiments push the range of the human voice to nine octaves (two more than the piano!) and demonstrate an impressive, avant-garde flexibility. Liner notes include an introduction and track notes.

Track Listing

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101
Lend Me Your Ears!: Phonation of Words Marita Günther 00:54
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102
Duet in New Vocal Sound Range: Arpeggios Marita Günther, Jenny Johnson 00:15
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103
Boy's Voice: The Word "Bella" / Short Coloratura Duet in New Vocal Sound Range: Arpeggios 01:10
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104
Four & Five Octave Leaps on the word "Viola": Boy / Female Voice / Male Voice Michael Faraday, Jenny Johnson, Roy Hart 00:51
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105
Double & Multiple Stopping by the Voice: Female Voice (Multiple) / Female Voice (Double) Marita Günther, Jenny Johnson 00:48
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106
Demonstration of Different Colorations on Same Notes: Four Male Voices Ernest Cole, Roy Hart, Thomas Faraday, Julian Keeble 01:26
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107
Demonstration of Different Colorations on Same Notes: Five Female Voices Avis Cole, Gil Johnson, Jenny Johnson, Marita Günther, Irmgard Wersaner 01:27
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108
Combination Singing of "Chanson Trieste" (Tchaikovsky): Male and Female Voices Ernest Cole, Roy Hart, Thomas Faraday, Julian Keeble, Avis Cole, Gil Johnson, Jenny Johnson, Marita 01:27
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109
New Registers: Male Voice / Female Voice Ernest Cole, Gil Johnson 00:45
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110
Nine Octaves: Male Voice / Female Voice Thomas Faraday, Marita Günther 03:36
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201
String Quartet for Four Female Voices Jenny Johnson, Gil Johnson, Avis Cole, Marita Günther 01:11
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202
Examples in Single Voice: Violin, Viola, Cello; Double-Bass / Violin (excerpt from Brahms 'Hungarian Dance') / Coloratura of 4 1/2 octaves (excerpt from 'Villanelle' (Eva dell'Acqua)) / "Water Boy" / "Nightingale" Jenny Johnson 07:46
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203
Duets (Voice and Instruments): Female Voice and Viola n/a 00:36
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204
Duets (Voice and Instruments): Male Voice and Cello n/a 00:36
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205
Duets (Voice and Instruments): Female Voice and Violin n/a 02:08
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206
Duets (Voice and Instruments): Female Voice and Flute n/a 00:34