#polyphony

Get in, we're here for a long ride! Hope you enjoy:>

🐉"A lot of figures in the Silm have weird Eldritch powers or possibly biology. Tell us about your headcanons for one."

Does Music/Song count as an Eldritch power?🤔

One of the things I can't stop thinking about when it comes to Tolkien's Legendarium is the music. I really love that the world was created from the Music of the Ainur, and it makes so much sense that the characters can wield power from music.

I also happen to come from two of the most singing nations in the world (besides being Ukrainian, I am also part Georgian, amongst other things — I'm a real mix y'all), and so I always wondered how the song that created the world would sound.

And boy oh boy do I have thoughts and headcanons on that for you 👀

Say what you want about tRoP, but I absolutely loved the mountain singing they've got there. It was beautiful, magical and it made so much sense. Asides from elves, some of whom were able to meet the Valar personally and learn the singing from them and pass it on, the dwarves are the only race who could maybe sorta have witnessed it from Aulë. And it made me think...

How would one imagine the Song that powers all creation?

Something strong, almost overwhelming, moving, grandiose, with many voices, something that could shake mountains and give flow to waters? Or something that could destroy you with a power of raw sound?

So let me introduce you to...

Polyphonic singing.

So, what's that, you ask? Polyphony is a type of musical texture consisting of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody, as opposed to a musical texture with just one voice (monophony) or a texture with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony (Ha! Gay!).

I am particularly in love with polyphonic singing, but especially the more traditional and lesser known styles: Georgian polyphonic singing, the Balkan polyphonic singing and the Overtone polyphonic singing.

I actually think you might've been already introduced to some other types in some parts, even in the screen adaptations of Tolkien, but maybe you didn't know about it.

When I think about the sound of music that could've created the world, what I think about is this Georgian choir performance at the Sistine Chapel: A Life by Zviad Bolkvadze

It is monumental. It is haunting. Enchanting power of voices that feels raw, almost overwhelming at the same time. I feel it literally enter my soul as I listen to it. Please put your headphones on and enjoy 🎧

Another good option to check out — Balcanic traditional choir singing — this one sounds really elvish to me: Kaval Sviri performed by The Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir

When it comes to sound that could've been weaponised, however, I think about Overtone singing. It's a technique in which the vocalist produces two distinct pitches at the same time. And it's haunting, alright?? It haunts me personally. Like, right now.

You've probably heard it in traditional styles in regions such at Mongolia and Tibet, those are quite well-known (and they also feel like they could destroy you and mend you back by the sheer power of sound) but maybe you haven't heard this yet Andesana by Anna-Maria Hefele

Like, that could definitely be threatening or healing or maybe both.

So, there's some food for thought for ya! Or more like some music to your ears, I guess:)

👑To which High King of the Noldor do you owe your allegiance? Why would you offer them your fealty?

The amount of drawings of Maedhros on my page must hint on the fact that I am, in fact, extremely and unapologetically biased:) A reluctant king is always the best king, I think (Plato and my Torah teachers would be proud of me (yes, I'm also part Jewish, no, those are not all nations that got mixed in me)). I'd trust a person who's ready to step down to establish a peace between his people. And then also established a union with other people of Middle-earth? 11/10.

But alright, he was king for like what, a day and a half by the Silmarillion standards, so maybe he doesn't count to you (though I think his diplomatic and military skills are king-tier even when he's not crowned).

Then I suppose I'd go with Fingolfin? That's a kind of choice without a choice, but he is very capable, both as a leader (leading people through Helcaraxë was no easy task) and a commander of arms. He is, perhaps, too patient with Fëanor's bullshit (we love Fëanor on this page, but also he deserved to get his ass kicked by Fingolfin) and also quite suicidal. But like, so is Maedhros. Is having a king type a thing or-?

Anyways, that's it! This response took a long time because my cultural nerd side tuned in and all of a sudden I'm doing a whole YouTube research to make sure people see my vision with polyphonic singing and... yeah:)

Thank you for asking and hope you will like this!

| Baldur's Gate 3 | - Family Portrait

Sicut cervus desiderat ad fontes aquarum, ita desiderat anima mea ad Te, Deus.

Acrobats Balance On Top Of The Empire State Building, c. 1934.

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“One of the marvelous things about that marvelous thing the novel is its many-voicedness, its polyphony. All kinds of people get to think, feel, and talk in a novel, and that great psychological variety is a part of the vitality and beauty of the form. It might seem that the writer needs a gift of mimicry, like an impersonator, to achieve this variety of voices. But it isn’t that. It’s more like what a serious actor does, sinking self in character-self. It’s a willingness to be the characters, letting what they think and say rise from inside them. It’s a willingness to share control with one’s creation.”