Be prepared for the Huun-Huur-Tu Throat Singers of Tuva to give a new meaning to the word "duet" tonight at 8 p.m. in the Spaulding Auditorium. Forget the middleman, these unique performers will harmonize with themselves!
Huun-Huur-Tu means "Layers of Light," which neatly sums up their style of ethereal and mystical chanting. The Throat Singers relate their layers of tone to the layers of light reflected on Tuva's mountainous countryside, and experts have described "khoomei" as a means for Tuvans to express their transcendental love of nature.
These artists are masters of "khoomei", an ancient folk art of throat singing passed down from generation to generation in rural Tuva, a former Soviet republic in Siberia. In this community, singing is a vital part of everyday life; the herdsmen often use their signature music to relax unruly animals.
"Khoomei" (throat) is more popularly known as biphonic or overtone singing in the West. Biphonic singers produce two or more separate notes simultaneously by singing a fundamental and then manipulating the mouth to magnify the fundamental's natural harmonics. This actually enables the singer to perform the musical accompaniment for his own lead melody.
Since its sold-out concert here two years ago, Huun-Huur-Tu has expanded its international reputation with tours and various album releases, including the recently-released soundtrack of the film "Geronimo" and the critically-acclaimed "Orphan's Lament" and "60 Horses in My Herd."
Tickets for tonight's 8:00 p.m. concert are available at the Hopkins Center box office for $7.50 (Dartmouth students) and $12.50 (general admission).
