ARTIST: Chirgilchin
COUNTRY: Tuva
GENRE: Master Throat-Singers
MORE ABOUT: Chirgilchin is a group of musicians from Tuva, a small Russian province north of Western Mongolia. Singing the ancient folk songs in the Tuvan language, the group also plays handmade instruments. Atmospheric and mesmerizing, throat singing is almost too difficult to describe in words. It must be heard to be believed – the music, produced by resonating low sounds in the throat, creates a middle note and a haunting, flute-like harmonic.
Chirgilchin also offers throat singing or instrumental workshops on private or group base.
MUSICIANS:
Aidysmaa Koshkendey: Female vocalist, khomus (Tuvan mouth harp), tenchik (bells) Long song, percussion.
Igor Koshkendey: One of the best throat singers from Tuva, Igor sings six throat singing styles, including the unique Oidupaa style, which is used by only two singers – Oidupaa and Koshkendey. Igor is the 1998 winner of the Grand Prix of International Competition of Throat Singing, 2000 winner of the Grand Prix of International Competition in Llangollen (England), and 2002 winner of International Competition in Kyzyl (Tuva).
Mongoun-ool Ondar: Winner of the 1992 Grand Prix at age 16, he knows 6 throat singing styles and is close to inventing his own style. Member of Chirgilchin and Shu-De. Student of the legendary singer Oleg Kuular.
Aldar Tamdyn: Aldar was born in Chadaana, a town in Tuva, and now lives in Kyzyl. He is uniquely talented on the byzaanchy and morin-khuur. He was a winner at the International Folk Music Festival in Tuva for best instrumentalist. Now Aldar is director of National Tuvan Orchestra of Traditional Instruments. Aldar Tamdyn is also a very talented master maker of musical instruments. He made all the music instruments for Chirgilchin and for other folk groups of Siberia.
SELECTED PRESS REVIEWS AND QUOTES:
“Dressed in richly embroidered blue silk robes with gold linings and thick black riding boots, Chirgilchin played to eager crowds last Sunday, blowing away music categories with their clear, brilliant, and unassuming mastery of throat singing. Their youthful friendly demeanor, and somewhat shy countenances belied an incredible vocal range. Though worlds apart from Americans, their earthy groove provided a bridge for mutual understanding.” (AsianWeek.com)
“The voices of three men turn into six distinct voices as each singer simultaneously produces two notes. Their voices are accompanied by the playing of small hand-crafted pine instruments that resemble cellos and banjos.” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
“Hearing a throat singing concert is an astonishing experience that leads to a primitive dimension, where the self is drowned to become reunited with the fundamental nature around it.” (Pepperdine Graphic)
“It is a known fact that some of the best throat singers in the world hail from Tuva and a few of them are members of Chirgilchin. Take Igor Koshkendey. He has twice won the Tuvan International Throat Singing competition, winning in all of the six styles of throat singing.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
“Tuvan throat singing is a rarity in New York. But sung artfully in ensemble as it was recently at the Rubin Museum in Chelsea by Chirgilchin, the throat-singing champions of Tuva, a Central Asian nation on the border of Mongolia, the musical technique can be mesmerizingly beautiful.” (The New York Sun)
“Chirgilchin is renowned for their mesmerizing vocal and instrumental performances, which are almost beyond description. Both atmospheric and rollicking at the same time, it is the
indescribable multi-phonic vocal style of Khoomei that takes center stage in a Chirgilchin performance.” (Redwood Times)
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY:
– “Kaldak Khamar” (2009)
– “Pictures of Tuva” (2008)
– “Will Teach” (2006)
– “Collectible” (2005)
– “Aryskan’s Wind” (1999)
SELECTED VIDEOS:
Khöömeige Yoreel: Tuvan master throatsingers Chirgilchin performing at Rubin Museum of Art in New York
Daglarym: Tuvan master throatsingers Chirgilchin performing at Rubin Museum of Art in New York
Solo performance by Mongun-ool Ondar of Chirgilchin at Rubin Museum of Art, New York
Goats: Chirgilchin normally plays music for people about goats. This performance is a song for goats about people.
SELECTED PERFORMANCES:
2010: USA, Canada, Australia, India, Italy
2009: USA, Canada
2008: USA
2007: USA, China
2006: USA, Canada
2005: USA, England, Mongolia
2004: USA, New Zealand
2003: USA, Canada
2002: USA, Canada
2001: USA, Belgium, Holland
2000: USA, England, Italy, Norway
1999: Belgium, Holland
1998: Italy, Belgium, Holland, Finland
1997: Belgium, Holland, France
1996: Italy
SONGS:
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