Elisabeth Sulser is a synesthete. In the course of a 2004–05 neuro-psychological research project at the University of Zurich, in which she participated as a test subject, Elisabeth Sulser was identified as having an uncommon form of synesthesia – a story which went through the international media.
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Heroic or Horrific? "The Real Superhumans and the Quest for the Future Fantastic" November 4 will mark the Canadian broadcast premiere of this film documentary. Elisabeth Sulser is one of the “protagonsts“. She tells of her life as a synesthete, meets with other synesthetes in England and is interviewed in the role of a test person by researchers at Oxford University. Some scenes were filmed in Chur. Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended the concert at the Church of St. Regula!You’ll be able to see yourselves “on screen”: an evening showing in Chur is planned, with the date soon to be announced! For information about the film, visit http://ctvmedia.ca/discovery |
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Ralf Isau’s Die Dunklen Ralf Isau is an author and fantasist. In his new book about synesthesia, Die Dunklen, he has given Elisabeth Sulser's talent – that of “seeing” musical tones – to his main character. For more information: http://www.isau.de |
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| Book launch in Weimar, 14 October 2007 (from l. to r.: Carsten Polzin, Elisabeth Sulser, Ralf Isau) |
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What is synesthesia?
Synesthesia is a phenomenon whereby the direct or sympathetic excitation of a single sense organ simultaneously produces not one, but multiple sensations. In music: colour synesthesia, for example, one of the more common forms, aural sensations such as tones or words also produce visual perceptions. Similarly, visual stimuli may produce secondary auditory sensations, or sounds may actually be “felt”. For more on this topic, consult the Wikipedia article “Synesthesia”.
Famous synesthetes
Numerous artists and musicians have been identified as possessing synesthetic abilities, including Alexander Scriabin, Frank Zappa, Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky.
What form does Elisabeth Sulser’s synesthesia take?
When Elisabeth Sulser hears music – or even individual tones – she finds that what she is hearing is projected onto a “screen” in her head. The result is a constantly changing, kaleidoscopic painting. Colours change with the tempo, and the forms reflect musical figures: C – red, D – yellow, E – brown, F – green, G – dark blue, A – light blue, B – grey, C sharp – pink, D sharp – maroon, F sharp – violet, G sharp – turquoise, B flat – gold.
”On the cold ground“, measures 1–8, from John Playford’s The Dancing Master >> Click to enlarge and hear an excerpt (Internet Explorer only)
For Elisabeth Sulser intervals have a taste: that is, she perceives tones separated by less than an octave as a taste on her tongue. A minor second “tastes” sour; a minor third, salty; a major third, sweet; and a fifth like a glass of water. A minor sixth tastes like whipping cream, a major sixth like half-and-half; a minor seventh is bitter, similar to a major second; and a major seventh is sour, like a minor second.
“La mia barbara”, from A Dream by John Dowland (1563–1626) >> Click to enlarge and hear an excerpt (Internet Explorer only)
J.S. Bach, “Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul”, BWV 150, measures 1–5 >> Click to enlarge and hear an excerpt (Internet Explorer only)