Roomful of Teeth perform Caroline Shaw's 'Partita for 8 Voices' | Music on Main

Canadian premiere of Caroline Shaw's 'Partita for 8 Voices' performed live by Roomful of Teeth. Presented by Music on Main and Push International Performing Arts Festival.
www.musiconmain.ca/ pushfestival.ca/
I. Allemande at 0:12
II. Sarabande at 5:56
III. Courante at 10:18
IV. Passacaglia at 18:35
Filmed live Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Fox Cabaret | Vancouver, BC
Music on Main gratefully acknowledges that all of our events take place on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Filmed and edited by Cameron Anderson, Cascade Film and Media cascadefam.com/

[@TheJenkodaz]

Everything is connected.

[@farrelalkasah3219]

the hell is empty and all the devils are here

[@billmetc]

Far and near are all around

[@starwars457fusiondex]

Life is a gift… for those who know how to use it.

[@Peppevic]

Tic toc, toc tic

[@JeremyFieldsMusic]

🤣✌

[@1GaryH1]

It's like hearing an abstract painting...

[@benm5221]

Thanks. Now I keep hearing Picasso humming in 3D.

[@janethouse1779]

@@benm5221 best comment ever

[@marycatherinelamar2635]

Yes! Great analogy.

[@woosh_police4018]

Couldn't have been said better.

[@1GaryH1]

@@benm5221 Please send me some of whatever you're taking. :)

[@typicallyvillainous1119]

Cant imagine the hours and hours of practice that must have gone into this

[@0ldar]

I keep coming back, it keeps being wonderful.

[@MichaelSmith-zw5fu]

This is one of those performances I wish I could go back in time to see live.

[@cernoso]

Finally I made it through Dark. I knew this Partita recording before. Only now I am able to fully appreciate how your comment can both have nothing to do with the show and be a reference to the show. I guess until we open the box the comment will be in a superposition of these states.

[@QueerWebs]

THE DETAIL OF THE PATTERN IS MOVEMENT

[@jowzephinfinito9008]

the detail of the pattern is movement

[@CrummyJoker]

The detail of Saturn is eight.

[@DmitryTurovsky]

the detail of the pattern is movement

[@snakesmusicnuggets9295]

the detail of the pattern is movement

[@woosh_police4018]

the movement of the detail is pattern

[@majorclassics2512]

For all those Dark netflix fans, it starts at 11:47

[@jowzephinfinito9008]

thx

[@Orpaleth]

Thank youuu

[@Blackkray777]

From what ep is this

[@mutantbananas1]

@@Blackkray777 It appears in a few different episodes throughout the series, more so in season 1 if I recall correctly

[@woosh_police4018]

Not at 10:16 is when it starts. You should edit your comment cause where you pointed at is the climax and you need to here from the beginning till that point

[@emmabennet888]

For those who are here for the bit from Dark (10:18), you should listen to Inuit throat singing. The group consulted performers of the katajjaq to create these unique breathy and throaty a capella sounds that you hear in Partita No. 3. (though the Inuit were not originally accredited). I think I also heard some Mongolian(?) throat singing right before that bit, too.

[@EssieP]

I see what you mean. Good call! I've chased this up and now want to buy some Inuit Throat Singing on CD (or quality download) - any suggestions where to get it?

[@robertniedzwiecki5056]

Y'all talkin bout tuvan throat singin

[@emmabennet888]

@@robertniedzwiecki5056 No, that's a different kind of throat singing. But I think you are probably right that Partita for 8 Voices features Tuvan throat singing as well as Inuit throat singing. Various cultures have a history of throat singing that is unique.

[@xaviox]

Yes this has 4+ techniques from 3 disciplines (I'm by no means an expert but I can hear) and various regions. I heard her work described as to a musical satellite which is perfect for this piece 👌

[@ojamjam]

I’ve never been so impressed by contemporary music. Wordless.

[@3rdNumberOfPi]

10:18 for the dark fans like me

[@voiceleader]

This is very sound vocalism. The off-voice, on voice thing requires real skill - expert pitching abilities. I'm bemused to read some of the comments below from people who don't get how skilful the singers need to be to do this. You don't have to like the music in the end, but appreciate the skill in creating it. These guys are good.

[@collinbeal]

The overtones are due to them purposely isolating overtones. There's a lot of overtone singing in this piece

[@user-uk4je8wd8h]

a very sound vocalism...pun intended?

[@Mooseman327]

It's called micro-tonalism. As you say, it takes great skill to be able to sing microtones together like this.

[@mandy2917]

it really is to just jump from speaking to the right tune, like damn! and with how smooth it sounds it’s so so impressive!

[@platonshubin]

I'm absolutly neither educated nor hearing-abled but I can hear them doing very unusual things. i could describe it as sometimes consonance, sometimes consonant dissonance. Very harmonic eventually.

[@crystalramsay]

I'm stunned...I love the futuristic feel and the emotion even when there are no discernable words; Ms. Shaw absolutely deserved the Pulitzer for this piece. I also feel the commitment from this group of singers, such impressive talent!

[@deig0523]

The best thing for me is how the singers are enjoying performing this piece

[@pjkhunold]

Simply beautiful! What a skillful mix between old and new . BTW: the woman in black and white is the composer.

[@kaustik185]

Shut up I don't have a crush what makes you say that eww

[@octopus3372]

the "far and near" bit starting at around 3:45 and ending at 5:12 is my favorite part it's so beautiful

[@jvegaalbela]

Chills every time

[@mayabrabender8085]

thanks for not making it about dark ;-;

[@oscargill423]

That glissando at 4:15 especially, it actually brings a tear to my eye sometimes it's so chilling...

[@debna]

@@t.u.7489 you're probably right - I just came here after hearing this on the Kanye documentary Jeen-Yuhs, so def a connection

[@Atrulion]

As a Dark lover, nothing beats 10:18 to 12:45

[@alanlucas501]

Is there a more powerful musical instrument than the human voice? Tibetan throat singing and everything in this performance is amazing.

[@charitygrant4542]

This performance brings me to the future but also takes me back. Laurie Anderson and Gorecki, Glass and a few others. I love that Shaw is pulling me forward. I've never heard anything like what she achieved here. On my 10th listen I'm holding my breath and humming along at the same time. I am the last one to discover her but I am a #1 fan.

[@aleksandarbrzic8351]

Dolmen Music also comes to mind and it was written more than 50 years ago...

[@Pww642]

Second to last! Hi. I'm here now.

[@_zeoliamusic]

The overtone singing around 10:00 is so cool to hear!

[@darlenemoak63]

By the time I saw them in Columbia SC (2017??) they had memorized this. This group is incredible. 1000%.

[@niveditachaudhary7891]

"Ah ha ah" starts at 10:15 (I didn't know how else to write, dark's fan will understand)

[@patriciamayhew6321]

Thank you!

[@lightyagami1058]

Courante

[@nicholasmartin297]

This is SO beautiful. This art demonstrates and honours the potential of the human soul. If there is a heaven, God has got this on repeat. And may He bless Caroline Shaw.

[@gustavosousa3554]

The overtone singing absolutely slaps. Shaw is probably my favorite composer currently

[@OrdenJust]

I love how in the ensemble work, their voices blend so smoothly, yet with the aid of seeing the video, one can pick out individual voices. A superb composition.

[@thedude9001]

This isn't my type of thing but WOW this is a very talented group of vocalists. The intonation is spot on and their voices are full and resonant.

[@madeleinehickman8539]

You wanna know what it's like to have chills for 24 minutes straight? Watch this video

[@UberNerdMaster]

I cannot stop listening to this oh my god.. It's so incredibly impressive, watching it is mesmerizing.

[@PentameronSV]

0:12 - I. Allemande 5:57 - II. Sarabande 10:19 - III. Courante 18:36 - IV. Passacaglia [23:51 - Applause]

[@MrTalkingCorn]

I can't seem to find their song "Applause" any where

[@PentameronSV]

@@MrTalkingCorn Very funny.

[@kieranryan6148]

MrTalkingCorn 👏

[@PhucNguyen-yn7ng]

Pentameron thankyou

[@python395]

This was the most profound, intense and beautiful piece of music I have ever heard in my life. I had already previously thought I had heard the greatest music I'll ever hear, then I stumbled upon this 45 minutes ago. I'm still in shock, my body is almost shaking. Wow.

[@maandalen]

Which was the other piece of music?

[@48956l]

@@maandalen for me it was Snarky Puppy’s Sylva, or A Silver Mt. Zion’s 13 Blues for 13 Moons. Both I can stare at the ceiling in bed with my headphones on, listen all the way through, and be totally moved.

[@LS-qw4qy]

I felt exactly the same when I first listened to this or rather it felt like after all these years of loving and enjoying music I had found something so new and amazing. I have been going back to it a lot since. I prefer this live version to be able to see who is singing.

[@ajosemontenegro]

Can you share the other piece of music you mention?

[@python395]

@@ajosemontenegro I wasn't referring to a specific piece, but the large body of work created by Canadian artist Devin Townsend. Albums like "Terria" or "Ocean Machine: Bio-mech" were truly the greatest pieces of work I have heard, and even after I wrote that original comment above he outdid himself with the release "The Puzzle" While Devins music would be classified under progressive metal, it's really much more than that. The dude is the most versatile, truly creative, and insanely passionate/intense artist I've ever come across, with stuff ranging from ambient works to metal to classical to country to jazz. Not to mention his insane production style. So clean and beautiful it's like listening to the sound of crystals, yet multilayered and complex. so many details meticulously crafted that I can go back to a record I've listened to 100 times and still pick out parts I've never heard before. Definitely an artist you want to listen to with your best headphones lying down with your eyes closed. The best part is no two albums actually sound the same. If you're interested check out "Hammerhead Sugarplum" off The Puzzle, "Deep Peace" on Terria, "Borderlands" on Empath, "Funeral" on Ocean Machine just to name a few and get you feeling out what this guy has to offer.

[@Otterysteve]

I've never heard anything quite like this before. Extraordinary. Wonderful. I love it!

[@sbingham1979]

This is so unusual and so expertly and hauntingly done - gives me goosebumps. I have never heard anything like it except maybe some of vocal sounds in Steve Reich are similar. These singers are just superb.

[@dermotoc9594]

Caroline was a vocalist on a performance of Reich's 'Music for 18 Musicians', so definitely an influence. Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZmWkJiodq2Hpac

[@sbingham1979]

@@dermotoc9594 Yes, that is exactly the Steve Reich piece I was thinking of! Thanks!

[@freddavis6703]

I read about roomful of teeth in the new yorker so I had to check it out.I spent an hour to give it a listen and now Im just "all strung-out"!! on this group!! Great

[@ommyotter4064]

8:04 gives me chills down my spine every time

[@g4m3rguy86]

It’s insane! Reminds me of bagpipes.

[@expilectakunai]

Holy crap... What a brilliant work of art. Intense, pulsating, and absolutely beautiful. Superbly crafted, with so many interesting and left field timbral choices for the human voice in a choir format. I adored it, definitely one of my favorite vocal works ever.

[@nicholasmartin297]

A celebration of humanity.

[@DavidExPoint]

CAROLINE SHAW IS SO AMAZING. That's all!

[@benm5221]

Exquisite, Brilliant, Fresh, Exciting, Brave, Insightful. My mind, body and soul feel more alive and invigorated after listening to this I also come away from this feeling suprisingly more optimistic about life. Stunning power of musical genius.

[@iangreer4585]

1:27 gives the feeling as if you're staring at a starry night in an open field

[@barbarabaldwin7120]

Or, as if he starry night were singing Down at you, listening flat out, on an open field.... Barb

[@GregHarradineComposer]

An incredible piece, can't believe I've only just come across it.

[@kaidblick5171]

My choir spends a whole quarter of a year working on three 3:30 minute songs for an hour and a half every other day and we still don’t get anywhere close to this perfect

[@aliceandalejandro1404]

I had the honor of hearing the Roomful of Teeth perform this a few years ago. WOW... What fantastic musicians!

[@TheJackHarkness]

I actually have nothing clever to say. This is just amazing.

[@squeakeththewheel]

How clever of you.

[@charitygrant4542]

Xoxo

[@russellbrickey7698]

This is fantastic. I've got my earbuds in while working at Panera and trying not to geek-out at my table. Bravo composer and performers. So cool.

[@carolineshaw4064]

hey caroline shaw. my name is caroline shaw too! lol to be honest i only figured u out when my cable company asked if i was the talented violinists. But im just a reguler boring person...with wishes to be a singer. Its cool to see someone so amazing and talented with the same name...first and last. Also so wierd. Do u ever get people who try to sing u the song Oh Sweet Caroline? lol i have Have a beautiful day!

[@gamacminisplits8531]

Caroline Shaw this letter was cute :)

[@divyhdabhade3941]

This Caroline is you as well. Just from 33 years in the future.

[@woosh_police4018]

@@divyhdabhade3941 its all connected

[@SumriseHD]

@@divyhdabhade3941 Δ Δ Δ

[@bettybrown2968]

I love the vocal harshness, how refreshing

[@brucecreditor9756]

Wow! Shades of Berio Sinfonia and other works with voices. And Swingle Singers/New York Voices

[@damanpreetkaur1586]

Never heard something like this. Enjoyed every second of it.

[@paulprocopolis]

Fascinating and absorbing. So far, I've liked every piece I've heard from this composer.

[@xaviox]

A life-changing performance. Soooo many talented performers and a visionary of a composer that is Caroline Shaw 💕 speechless absolutely speechless x

[@TheloniousCube]

Good heavens! One of the most moving pieces of "new music" I've heard in years! Ligeti, Pygmy song, Shape note singing - incredible vocal technique!

[@janetbacker6406]

This is really powerful and I love it, can't understand all the negativity surrounding the theme music to ' Marriage'

[@simonamckenzie4867]

This is just perfect for Marriage. It’s all about the lyrics ….that’s how I see it.

[@maxsilva11]

Finding out that this piece is woven into the soundtrack of "Tár" is probably what pushed me over the edge into wanting to see it in theaters

[@markwoods5457]

Bruh, I'm legit doing a listening Journal on this for my Music Literature class and i randomly just picked this piece and then suddenly heard a reference from Carolina Crown 2019: The Detail of the pattern is movement, and I was like "whoa thats so cool!"

[@isotopian]

I'm 18 minutes in currently. At two different points earlier I wanted to pause, to express how much I enjoyed this. I put on a good pair of headphones and cranked them up, and despite watching the video on my phone the recording quality is stellar, and I found myself with goosebumps at multiple points. I really appreciate what you guys do and it means a lot to me.

[@evanpeterson7585]

"despite watching the video on my phone" is there something wrong with your phone's sound card? Did it come from 2006?

[@russelldawkins3408]

@@evanpeterson7585 Buzz kill ...

[@johnhunter4181]

I can't agree, I have some decent equipment and the sound quality is poor, over processed, with very distorted top end and blurry stereo imaging. Shame they had to use all those mics :-(

[@charitygrant4542]

I was cranking up in my headphones, too xoxo

[@RichardBerg]

@@johnhunter4181 close micing is an integral part of the "vocal band" instrument. Doing Teethy rep unamplified would be like rock music without drums or techno without synths.

[@mattdrummond3552]

The prog rock of acapella. Caroline Shaw is a genius.

[@Otterysteve]

Great description! :-)

[@KsPpng]

Nice try, but it ain't prog. Believe me, I'm into prog, nobody in prog -neither singers nor instruments players- know anything about it. Prog is someway always blues-pentatonic or at least tonally based. This is not. This is ACAPELLA CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL MUSIC. Schoenberg, Berio, Stockhausen, Boulez, Nono, Messiaen, you know, that stuff. Way far beyond prog. Love it.

[@lightyagami1058]

@@KsPpng It's a suite so yeah, pretty neo.

[@brians132]

I would love to book a box for this concert. As my guests, I would invite Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky. I would show them how music is in the 21st century. This concert would blow their brains out (in a good way) 🤯😎. If you guys ever come to London, I would love to see you perform this piece. Thanks to Caroline Shaw 👐 You Rule !

[@susanbendickson]

Absolutely with tears in my eyes !!

[@ingridwidell1286]

Roomful of teeths....A masterpiece!

[@scrublord7321]

The end of Act 2 of Kanye West’s documentary starts at 22:45

[@kobbini]

So different and wonderful. I was lucky to hear them in Boston about 5-6 years ago. waiting for them to come to DC now...

[@augustboi]

It's as if they made this composition exquisitely for Dark..😍

[@stahrmie]

12:44 is the most beautiful chorale I've ever heard I swear to god

[@shnimmuc]

Nothing special here.

[@connormonday]

It's actually not written by Shaw, she's quoting an old hymn.

[@alexamani4122]

+shnimmuc well that's a subjective statement

[@Sunnsetter]

Imagine never accomplishing anything spectacular in your life and living the rest of it closed off to interesting and creative works of arts like this one.

[@ComptonStillBlazing]

Kind of reminds me of castlevania SOTN

[@eoinmulvany860]

Magnificent. Congrats to Caroline Shaw and the wonderful Roomful of Teeth from Ireland. Just... magnificent.

[@sgringo]

Clearly trained by extraterrestrials. Or they themselves are extraterrestrials. Regardless, this stuff is amazing. EDIT: I found out about this group two weeks earlier, which is when I left that comment. Tonight, I started watching the Netflix show, Dark. I was surprised to discover that the producers have used this composition for their soundtrack. It's amazing I would have discovered this -- I rarely watch TV.

[@k-leb4671]

A capella music can be so awesome. Listening to this makes me want to go back to the Crash Twinsanity and Tag Team Racing soundtracks, which had very intriguing and unique a capella music.

[@JGEssex]

Why am I just now hearing this? SO GOOD!

[@ingridwidell1286]

I wish Caroline Shaw and her singing friends God´s blessings! Welcome to Sweden and Sundsvall....in the middle of the country!

[@5466Aaron]

Wow! What an original and beautiful sound.

[@josephpfratic7258]

Extraordinarily beautiful instrumental composition and presentation of music in the human voice!

[@gibbyincarnate]

This was wonderful. I'm very happy I have heard this.

[@paulcatania1315]

Beautiful. It's like Bach, Ligeti and Bobby McFerrin rolled into one!

[@warrenlwolfe]

plus philip glass

[@TonBil1]

Plus Beach Boys

[@annakatepollard2318]

Oh good spotting. Agree!

[@onefugue]

Definitely some Meredith Monk

[@jamesweeks8992]

Ligeti?

[@soniamegias]

A super-choral piece, and an amazing group... BRAVA, Caroline, and BRAVI, Roomful of Teeth

[@Frellyouall]

Get these guys to do the live action Akira soundtrack.

[@expilectakunai]

That would be the composer of this work, Caroline Shaw. And honestly, that would be sooooo interesting to hear!

[@saltandiron3379]

I felt my soul fly out of my body at 4:18

[@kieranryan6148]

A Hood being washed away by a wall of inner water 🌊 and we‘re still here 🌴

[@LeanderMoens]

This whole album is so incredible

[@ingridwidell1286]

God bless you, Caroline Shaw.....Have never heard anything like this......Wonderful!!!!!!!!

[@altheamcnabb2829]

Wow. And without a Conductor. Amazing.

[@conradforeman5196]

The added throat singing was a nice touch

[@galaxiesandfallacies4584]

Big agree.

[@freshmarex3538]

This is probably the most appealing rendition of this piece I've heard so far. Thanks very much for posting it!

[@airyanashayana6133]

In a century, Maestra Caroline, thou and thy creations shall be in the Great Hall, where Bach and Beethoven reside.

[@Aria-gi2sr]

I love this composition so, so much...What a masterpiece! And great singers as well.

[@sarah.s.flanagan]

Has anyone choreographed a group dance to this yet? It is PERFECT for one I'm still listening and I just keep getting re-impressed that there's no other instruments and no conductor

[@alexPi77]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6GUk2dmbMl7qrM

[@FeonaLeeJones]

I can definitely hear the Meredith Monk influence here...absolutely beautiful!

[@typicallyvillainous1119]

so glad to return to this performance and see positive comments. ive loved this piece forever and i remember seeing overwhelmingly sexist and negative comments under videos of performances a couple years ago :( a pleasant surprise to see that change ❤️

[@rufusbrooks8460]

I'm here from the 'Say You Will' Remix - absolutely astounded, found my new craze

[@everest001]

Astonishing and brilliant. Thanks.

[@Anna-ks2ub]

Intriguing piece...wonderful singers!

[@Dpk_YT]

10:18 for what you are searching

[@DerHerrMitR]

This is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. Thank you.

[@LS-qw4qy]

Listening to this for the first time felt like after all these years of loving and enjoying music I had found something so new and amazing. I have been going back to it a lot since. I prefer this live version to be able to see who is singing.

[@nickv1257]

Awesome skill and beautiful arrangement - the human voice must be the most versatile instrument in the panoply of musical toys available to us...such joy, so clever, so immersive I can't stop listening to this piece...

[@Yuri_Studio]

I saw this performed live a few years ago. Still amazing.

[@JoeDiVitaMusic]

Wow!!!! Bravo!! What else can be said? A few minutes in and I'm dumbfounded this is so good.

[@bernardtanguay364]

My jaw is on the floor! Never heard such maestria! Those voices together sent me in Deep space ! Wow!Wow! Wow! Such talented guys!

[@mab_8731]

10:18 play that at my funeral

[@fairdose]

The beginning is currently being used for the BBC drama “Marriage” and it’s driving everyone crazy.

[@deliusmyth5063]

It's set too loud, for some reason.

[@isafowler5427]

That’s how I found this piece and became obsessed! Brilliance.

[@jiricevela3822]

Holy hell... I can't stop listening to the Allemande, what a piece of music.

[@DallasCrane]

Beautiful work!

[@TheDailyRant]

Absolutely totally awesome

[@alexproject4304]

Amazing Pitch! Sounds...so ....huge!

[@dawnvickerstaff]

I am in awe. Where have I been that I missed this? In some ways, it reminds me of Arvo Part. Caroline, I wish I could sing with you.

[@KingKae7]

Been looking for this. Love, A Dark fan.

[@CLardPercussion]

Wow. This was amazing.