Alash Ensemble
Encyclopedia
The ensemble Alash is a throat singing band from Tuva
that performs traditional Tuvan music with some non-traditional influences.
Originally called Changy-Xaya, the group was formed at Kyzyl Arts College in 1999 and quickly became the resident traditional ensemble. At the same time, the young musicians were learning harmony, theory, staff notation and western classical music. They began to incorporate non-traditional elements and instruments that mesh well with the sound and feel of traditional Tuvan music. They use old instruments such as the murgu, limpi, and shoor (wind instruments) that are not frequently played in Tuva today, as well as distinctly western instruments such as the guitar and accordion.
The outgrowth of this musical exploration is the ensemble Alash, which is named for the Alash River that flows through the musicians' home region of Tuva. Kongar-ool Ondar
is the artistic director, and he has played a key role in the development of the ensemble. Since its inception, Alash has undergone two personnel changes, as original members Sergei Sotpa and later Mai-ool Sedip have moved on, and Nachyn Choodu has joined the ensemble.
In 2004, Alash won first prize at the International Xöömei (throat singing) Symposium competition. In 2005, ensemble member Bady-Dorzhu Ondar was named the best male singer at the Üstüü-Xüree festival, and in 2006 he was named People's Xöömeizhi (throat singer) of the Republic of Tuva, the youngest person ever to receive this prestigious award. At the 2008 International Xöömei Symposium, Bady-Dorzhu Ondar won the grand prize, while Ayan-ool Sam and Ayan Shirizhik won first and second prizes for individual throat singing, and Nachyn Choodu won first prize as a duo with his wife Shonchalai Oorzhak-Choodu. In 2009, Ayan Shirizhik was awarded the title "Distinguished Artist of Tuva," and in 2011, Nachyn Choodu was awarded the same title.
Alash toured the U.S.A. in 2006 at the invitation of the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Their trip was organized by CEC ArtsLink, an organization that orchestrates cross-cultural arts exchanges and grants between the US and Central Europe, Russia, and EurAsia.
Alash has toured the U.S.A. every year since, playing at a variety of venues and receiving much press attention for their unique musical talents. They also conduct workshops at schools and colleges to share their music and culture with American young people. In December 2008, December 2009 and December 2010, Alash toured with the legendary American group Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
to promote the Flecktones' Grammy winning album Jingle All the Way
, which features Alash as guest artists. While touring with the Flecktones, Alash also had the opportunity to perform their traditional Tuvan music.
In August 2007, the group performed for Russian President Vladimir Putin while he was vacationing in Tuva.
Sean Quirk, an American scholar and musician who resides in Tuva, is the group's manager, producer, and interpreter. In 2008, Quirk was named Merited Artist of Tuva for his promotion of traditional Tuvan music and culture both inside Tuva and abroad. Quirk and the other members of Alash are also members of the Tuvan National Orchestra
.
Tuva
The Tyva Republic , or Tuva , is a federal subject of Russia . It lies in the geographical center of Asia, in southern Siberia. The republic borders with the Altai Republic, the Republic of Khakassia, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Irkutsk Oblast, and the Republic of Buryatia in Russia and with Mongolia to the...
that performs traditional Tuvan music with some non-traditional influences.
History
The musicians of Alash are Nachyn Choodu, Bady-Dorzhu Ondar, Ayan-ool Sam, and Ayan Shirizhik. All were trained in traditional Tuvan music since childhood, first learning from their families and later becoming students of master throat singers.Originally called Changy-Xaya, the group was formed at Kyzyl Arts College in 1999 and quickly became the resident traditional ensemble. At the same time, the young musicians were learning harmony, theory, staff notation and western classical music. They began to incorporate non-traditional elements and instruments that mesh well with the sound and feel of traditional Tuvan music. They use old instruments such as the murgu, limpi, and shoor (wind instruments) that are not frequently played in Tuva today, as well as distinctly western instruments such as the guitar and accordion.
The outgrowth of this musical exploration is the ensemble Alash, which is named for the Alash River that flows through the musicians' home region of Tuva. Kongar-ool Ondar
Kongar-ool Ondar
Kongar-ol Ondar is a master Tuvan throat singer and a member of the Great Khural of Tuva. Ondar was born in 1962 near the Khemchik River in western Tuva. Considered a living treasure by the Republic of Tuva, Ondar is granted a stipend and an apartment for the musical skills he possesses...
is the artistic director, and he has played a key role in the development of the ensemble. Since its inception, Alash has undergone two personnel changes, as original members Sergei Sotpa and later Mai-ool Sedip have moved on, and Nachyn Choodu has joined the ensemble.
In 2004, Alash won first prize at the International Xöömei (throat singing) Symposium competition. In 2005, ensemble member Bady-Dorzhu Ondar was named the best male singer at the Üstüü-Xüree festival, and in 2006 he was named People's Xöömeizhi (throat singer) of the Republic of Tuva, the youngest person ever to receive this prestigious award. At the 2008 International Xöömei Symposium, Bady-Dorzhu Ondar won the grand prize, while Ayan-ool Sam and Ayan Shirizhik won first and second prizes for individual throat singing, and Nachyn Choodu won first prize as a duo with his wife Shonchalai Oorzhak-Choodu. In 2009, Ayan Shirizhik was awarded the title "Distinguished Artist of Tuva," and in 2011, Nachyn Choodu was awarded the same title.
Alash toured the U.S.A. in 2006 at the invitation of the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Their trip was organized by CEC ArtsLink, an organization that orchestrates cross-cultural arts exchanges and grants between the US and Central Europe, Russia, and EurAsia.
Alash has toured the U.S.A. every year since, playing at a variety of venues and receiving much press attention for their unique musical talents. They also conduct workshops at schools and colleges to share their music and culture with American young people. In December 2008, December 2009 and December 2010, Alash toured with the legendary American group Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is a primarily instrumental group from the United States, that draws equally on bluegrass, fusion and jazz, sometimes dubbed "blu-bop". The band formed in 1988, initially to perform once on the PBS series Lonesome Pine Specials. The Flecktones have toured extensively...
to promote the Flecktones' Grammy winning album Jingle All the Way
Jingle All the Way (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones album)
Jingle All the Way is a Christmas album and the thirteenth album overall by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. Released in 2008 under Rounder, it marks the band's first record since their departure from Columbia. Jingle All the Way reached #1 on the Top Contemporary Jazz chart, the group's first album...
, which features Alash as guest artists. While touring with the Flecktones, Alash also had the opportunity to perform their traditional Tuvan music.
In August 2007, the group performed for Russian President Vladimir Putin while he was vacationing in Tuva.
Sean Quirk, an American scholar and musician who resides in Tuva, is the group's manager, producer, and interpreter. In 2008, Quirk was named Merited Artist of Tuva for his promotion of traditional Tuvan music and culture both inside Tuva and abroad. Quirk and the other members of Alash are also members of the Tuvan National Orchestra
Tuvan National Orchestra
The Tuvan National Orchestra reflects the complex history of the Republic of Tuva , a tiny nation which sits at the southern edge of Siberia, with Mongolia to its south. Over the centuries, Tuva has been part of Chinese and Mongolian empires, and shares many cultural ties with Mongolia...
.
Recordings
- Alash Live at the Enchanted Garden March 2006
- Alash April 2007
- Jingle All the Way September 2008. Guest artists on the grammy-winning CD by the FlecktonesBéla Fleck and the FlecktonesBéla Fleck and the Flecktones is a primarily instrumental group from the United States, that draws equally on bluegrass, fusion and jazz, sometimes dubbed "blu-bop". The band formed in 1988, initially to perform once on the PBS series Lonesome Pine Specials. The Flecktones have toured extensively...
- Buura May 2011
External links
- Alash, official website
- Kongar-ool Ondar, official website
- Tuvan National Orchestra, official website
- Bady-Dorzhu Ondar Wins Grand Prize at 2008 International Xoomei Symposium. July 27, 2008
- Bady-Dorzhu Ondar named People's Xoomeizhi. December 6, 2007
- Washington Post concert review. June 21, 2007 - scroll down to Alash
- Bady-Dorzhu Ondar Wins Grand Prize for Best Xoomei. May 26, 2006
- Open World Program Offers Rare Glimpse of Unique Musical Art February 1, 2006
- Hearts In Their Throats, Newsweek, March 17, 2006
- Bady-Dorzhu Ondar and Maya Akhpasheva are Best Singers at the Ustuu Khuree Festival, Tuva Online, July 9, 2005
- Who Are This Year's Khoomei Champions in Tuva? Tuva Online, July 29, 2004
- Juniper Green, LLC, sponsors Alash's U.S. tours