A cappella work in Spoken-Rhythm style for vocal ensemble 4 parts (either mixed or equal) with hand gestures - Text: Louise Michel, after a canaque tale - Onomatopéic text and music: Mirtha Pozzi - Illustrations of gestures : Denis Bourdaud
Performance time (varies according to the interpretation chosen) : circa 4 minutes
In Louise Michel's writings, it is the poetic character of the Canaque legends that attracts and enriches us. These stories are inspired by the Canaque people's relationship with nature: plants, animals, swells, cyclones, oceans...
In the musical treatment of the piece, breath also comes into play as a sound, expressed in sometimes imaginary onomatopoeia, ‘words that make noise’.
The text, which is fairly enigmatic and mysterious, is set to a rhythm that emphasises the momentum of the collective performance. Gestures with the hands and finger movements underline certain sounds and intensify the dynamism of the ensemble. The piece's musical material is used as a basis for an optional ‘premeditated improvisation’.
With Les souffles, the singers are invited to express the pleasure of conveying the poetic world of the Canaque people to the audience.
Notes on structure and interpretation:
This spoken-rhythm piece should be interpreted with the intonation of the French language in mind, especially as regards the interrogative or affirmative tone. The "H ”s should be sonorous, as in English. Stave notation indicates relative and indeterminate pitches, as is customary in percussion writing.
Notes on performing gestures:
The gestures accompanying the onomatopoeia are described and illustrated on the score. They start with the Intro. You need to work on the gestural accuracy of the ensemble (starts, finishes, tilts in space, etc.). Sound and gesture must start and stop at the same moment. Unity is found in the practice of collective practice.
Structure of the work:
A polyrhythm is created with the four groups circulating the text set to rhythm. The groups dialogue, exchange, play in unison or superimpose the text on onomatopoeia... The onomatopoeia are played throughout the piece, sometimes accompanied by gestures that amplify or "draw” the sound's path (glissandos, crescendos...).
