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From the Altaï Mountains in Central Asia comes a very special singing technique which the Mongols call Khöömii, or "pharynx". In English it is called biphonic singing because two tones issue forth simultaneously from the same mouth. Biphonic singing has become a national symbol in the People's Republic of Mongolia, and is included in the repertoire of the National Ensemble for Traditional Song and Dance. In this film, Tran Quang Hai and Hugo Zemp, ethnomusicologists and researchers at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris, present a detailed scientific study of the phenomenon of biphonic singing. Tran Quang Hui, who has taught himself the art of biphonic singing, is seen conducting a class where he is teaching others the technique. Also included are clips of performances by members of the Mongolian National Ensemble during their trip to Paris, where they were interviewed by Tran Quang Hui and demonstrate various types of "Khöömii". The film ends with notes on the various spiritual and therapeutic values of biphonic singing. Dans la technique vocale du chant diphonique connu surtout en Asie centrale, une seule personne chante à deux voix : un bourdon (une note grave) constitué par le son fondamental, et une mélodie superposée formée par des harmoniques sélectionnées dans la cavité buccale. Tran Quang Hai, ethnomusicologue et musicien, enseigne cette technique dans un atelier d'initiation. Des images radiologiques et spectrales, en temps réel et son synchrone, permettent de visualiser les procédés vocaux du point de vue physiologique puis acoustique. Deux artistes mongols sont interviewés et filmés lors d'un concert à Paris

Singing --- Vocal music --- Vocal registers. --- Singing --- Harmonics (Music) --- Intonation (Phonetics) --- Documentary films.