Walvisnota - Composed by Franco Prinsloo (Poetry: René Bohnen)

This piece was the prescribed work for the 2017 ATKV Applous competition for Advanced Mixed High School Choirs. The work opens with the choir imitating the song of a whale. Creating shimmering textures using only basic vowels. The notes glide and slide from one to the other creating this haunting whale song effect. The main theme is slowed down and its voicing divided within the groups creating an oceanic soundscape by slowly manipulating and changing between vowels. This striking whale effect is followed by a setting of Rene Bohnen’s poem where the listener experiences an encounter with language and the vividness of words by comparing the endless possibilities of language to the mystic song of a whale.

walvisnota

‘n woordeboek is soos ’n walvislied
daar skuil korale in die klank van troglodiet
dis mistiek soos wilde oesters wat juwele bied
geheim soos grotte op die meerminweë
’n woordeboek is soos ’n walvislied
blou stemme vloei uit ’n waterstalagtiet
luister hoe fluister rotse by die see
daar skuil korale in die klank van troglodiet
in die geborgenheid wat sirkels bied
waar wit slangsterre sandbodems vee
is ’n woordeboek soos ’n walvislied
daar skuil korale in die klank van troglodiet
deel wolke en die wintermaan jou mee
’n woordeboek is soos ’n walvislied
 

Whale note (Translated by the poet) 

a dictionary is like a whale song
c(h)orals hide within the sounds of troglodyte
mystical like wild oysters offering fine jewels
secret like caves on the routes of mermaids
a dictionary is like a whale song
blue voices flow from a water stalactite
listen how rocks whisper by the sea
c(h)orals hide within the sounds of troglodyte
in the sanctuary that circles give
where a serpent starfish sweeps sandbeds
a dictionary is like a whale song
c(h)orals hide within the sounds of troglodyte
the clouds and wintermoon confide in you
a dictionary is like a whale song.

Guest: Poet René Bohnen
Featured poem: Walvisnota (Whale note) by René Bohnenn
Music composed by Franco Prinsloo
Performed by Vox Chamber Choir