I was excited to hear that Alash, the throat singers from
the Republic of Tuva, were returning to Portland. My husband didn’t see them
the last time they were in town so I was very happy that he had a chance to
attend. See my column from February 2010, Mesermized and Transported by Alash, to read about my
first impressions of Alash.
The concert was well attended – I think there were many
repeat attendees as well as new listeners. I remember the last time I heard
them that the music was rhythmic and made me think of horses. I was surprised
this time by the more obtuse (to me) tone of the songs during the first set.
The four men, Nachyn Choodu, Bady-Dorzhu, Ayan-ool Sam, and Ayan Shirizhik,
were dignified and reserved as they performed. The music was entrancing,
particularly a piece named for the mountain for which it was written,
Bai-Taiga. That composition was orchestral in depth and breadth, taking us
beyond time and space and nearly inducing us into a shamanic journey. The
ancestral presence conveyed by these musical sojourners was palpable. Scott
Quirk, their ambassador and MC, explained that the Shamanist religion teaches
that there is spirit in everything. Many of the songs are old and pay tribute to various parts
of Tuva, especially honoring the way they make their living with animals such as yaks, reindeer or camels. The country is divided between mountains, rivers
and farmland and the songs originate from these varioius regions and tell their particular stories.
The musical instruments are beautiful, and hand-made of wood,
goatskin, bone, horse hooves, and other natural materials. I looked at their
website this week, alashensemble.com, and was horrified to find out that their
vehicle was broken into some months ago and their instruments, costumes, visas
and gifts for their children were stolen. There is a fund set up to help them
recover their losses. What a blow it must have been for them to fall victim to
the heedless actions of criminals. They were able to borrow instruments to
continue their tour but I wanted to post the link if someone wants to donate to help them replace what was lost. They will be touring with Bela Fleck next
month for the Christmas season. If you see that they’re playing in your town, don’t
miss them!
alashensemble.com/StolenInstruments.htm
Photo by Stephen H. Goldstein, Arlington, Virginia, March 7, 2010
