Composer

:

Robert Cogan

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1977

Average_duration

:

10:21

Polyutterances for Two Superimposed Voices is a contemporary classical composition by Robert Cogan. It was composed in 1975 and premiered in the same year. The piece consists of three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, titled "Polyutterances I," features two voices singing different texts simultaneously. The texts are taken from various sources, including poetry and prose, and are often fragmented and disjointed. The voices are not meant to harmonize, but rather to create a complex and dissonant texture. The movement is characterized by its use of extended vocal techniques, such as glissandi and multiphonics, which add to the overall complexity of the piece. The second movement, "Polyutterances II," is a more rhythmic and structured piece. The two voices sing in unison for much of the movement, creating a more cohesive sound. However, there are still moments of dissonance and fragmentation, as the voices occasionally diverge from each other. The movement also features a prominent percussion part, which adds to the rhythmic complexity of the piece. The final movement, "Polyutterances III," is the most experimental of the three. The two voices sing in a more improvisational style, with each voice responding to the other in a call-and-response fashion. The movement also features a variety of extended techniques, including whispering, shouting, and speaking in tongues. The overall effect is one of chaos and unpredictability, as the voices constantly shift and change. Overall, Polyutterances for Two Superimposed Voices is a challenging and complex piece of contemporary classical music. Its use of extended vocal techniques and fragmented texts creates a unique and dissonant sound world, while its rhythmic and improvisational elements add to its experimental nature.

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