Stephan Froleyks'
Über Ihnen Flogen Spatzen (Over Them Spatzen Flew) is an ambitious piece and, as strange as this will sound in a few sentences, it works out very nicely even for non-German-speaking listeners. This is a hörstück (a musical play that includes a narration) for Saitenwanne. The Saitenwanne is literally a "string tub," an instrument built by
Froleyks and played with two bows (one for each of its strings). Its sound is very unique, with lots of high overtones and a metallic resonant quality. The text, appearing in four of the 14 movements, "I Ss Toj Pory" (parts one and two) and "Kleines Lied" (parts 1 and 2), is narrated by Ulrike Froleyks and comes from a German translation of a work by Daniil Charms and Aleksandr Vvedenskij. The narration resurfaces at other places (like in "Drei Menschen Saßan Auf Dem Dach, Die Hände Gefaltet") but transformed through electroacoustic techniques. There is very little going on between the voices (treated or not) and the Saitenwanne, and yet a lot happens. The Saitenwanne hums its strange litany as it is bowed almost continuously. When it stops, the listener is shocked. Occasional percussive playing on the strings brings another dimension. But overall, the sound palette is very minimal and the effect is trance-like. Even though
Über Ihnen Flogen Spatzen makes a rewarding listen, one needs to be very open-minded to appreciate. The last movement was released as the EP So Fuhren Sie Im Boot, Tauschten Gedanken Aus, Und Die Ruder In Ihren Blitzten Wie Schüsse in 1994 when it became obvious that the complete album would take a lot of time to mix down. It came out two years later. ~ François Couture