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mit kraftvoller Kopfstimme vorgetragenes Solo

English translation: with a solo delivered in a powerful soprano (voice)

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10:43 Oct 19, 2010

German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Music / Singing

German term or phrase: mit kraftvoller Kopfstimme vorgetragenes Solo

This is from a thriller/Krimi. The main character has infiltrated a cult about to perform a macabre ritual.

"Augenblicklich wurder der Raum von einem tiefen, sonoren Summen erfüllt. Alle stimmten mit ein. Ich widerstand der Versuchung, das Brummen der unzähligen tiefen Männerstimmen durch ein kurzes, feminines und **mit kraftvoller Kopfstimme vorgetragenes Solo** aufzulockern."

I have found out that "Kopfstimme" is "head voice", but how can I work that into the sentence? Or can I just put "soprano"? Thanks for any advice!

Rachel Ward KudoZ activity Questions: 412 (none open) (8 closed without grading) Answers: 67
Local time: 03:16

English translation:with a solo delivered in a powerful soprano (voice)

Explanation:
Fits perfectly here - best in the context of a *female* main character.
'Falsetto' can only apply to a male voice.
'Head voice' is too technical.

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Note added at 4 hrs (2010-10-19 14:52:14 GMT)
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Alternatively: 'high-pitched'

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Note added at 1 day9 hrs (2010-10-20 20:06:54 GMT)
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"This is from a thriller/Krimi. The main character has infiltrated a cult about to perform a macabre ritual."

Despite the endorsement by Thayenga, I still feel that 'head voice' would not be a familiar term to your target readers and would interrupt the flow. Another option worth considering - and one that in my opinion is in keeping with the 'macabre ritual' - is 'a full-throated soprano'.

http://www.yourdictionary.com/full-throated
having or producing a full, deep, or rich sound; sonorous

Selected response from:

Andrew Swift
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:16

Grading comment

Thank you Andrew and all. May we combine this answer with elements from others.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +2

solo performed with a powerful head voice

Jo Bennett

4 +2

with a solo delivered in a powerful soprano (voice)

Andrew Swift

with a solo delivered in a piercing soprano

Marci Warner

with a quick and powerful operatic solo in my best soprano

kmaincor

Discussion entries: 4

Answers

6 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

solo performed with a powerful head voice

Explanation:
Please see sentence and link below. Many similar examples exist. This is a phrase regularly used by the director of the chamber choir I sing with here in the UK.

Example sentence(s):

So in todays update we give you some of the very best exercises and techniques to build a clear and powerful head voice from the smallest beautiful sound to the amazing epic quality that only head voice can deliver.

Reference: http://www.singalong.co.uk/Singing_Lessons--vv-singing_lesso...

Jo Bennett
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:16
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

1 day3 hrs confidence:

with a solo delivered in a piercing soprano

Explanation:
What about using the word piercing instead of powerful. This would insinuate both the resonance of a head voice and the power.

Marci Warner
Germany
Local time: 04:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

with a solo delivered in a powerful soprano (voice)

Andrew Swift
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:16
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 48

Grading comment

Thank you Andrew and all. May we combine this answer with elements from others.

2 days4 hrs confidence:

with a quick and powerful operatic solo in my best soprano

Explanation:
"I resisted the urge to break up the incessant humming of the deep baritone voices with a quick and powerful operatic solo in my best soprano."

*It's a loose translation with some creative license taken. Not sure if it fits the tone of the rest of the book?

kmaincor
Local time: 04:16
Native speaker of:

English

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mit kraftvoller Kopfstimme vorgetragenes Solo

English translation: with a solo delivered in a powerful soprano (voice)

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mit kraftvoller Kopfstimme vorgetragenes Solo

English translation: with a solo delivered in a powerful soprano (voice)

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KudoZ™ translation helpThe KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

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The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.