The deep sound of viola has fascinated me for years, ever since I had a chance to write a solo piece for the exceptional violist Garth Knox in 2014. In this work, I focused on the use of natural harmonics on viola. The player has to perform melodies consisting of natural harmonics on all strings. Harmonics up to the 10th partial are used. Chant Harmonique (Harmonics Song) starts with the same intervals as Canción del
Emperador (The Emperor’s Song) by Luys de Narváez who was a vihuelist at the court of the Spanish king Charles V in the 16th century. The harmony of Chant Harmonique is derived from half tone fluctuations of these intervals. In addition, one can hear little quotes of motives from Canción del Emperador played in artificial harmonics.