Alash Ensemble

The ensemble Alash is a throat singing group from Tuva that performs traditional Tuvan music with some non-traditional influences.

History

.

Originally called Changy-Xaya, the group was formed at Kyzyl Arts College in 1999 and originally included a fifth member, Sergei Sotpa. Changy-Xaya quickly became the resident traditional ensemble. At the same time, however, 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 and limpi (wind instruments) that are not frequently played in Tuva today, as well as distinctly western instruments such as guitars and accordions.

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.

In 2004, Alash won first prize at the International Symposium "Khoomei," throat singing competition. In 2005, ensemble member Bady-Dorzhu Ondar was named the best male singer at the Ustuu-Khuree festival, and in 2006 he was named "People's Xoomeizhi" of the Republic of Tuva.

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 toured the U.S.A. again in 2007 and 2008, playing at a variety of venues and receiving much press attention for their unique musical talents. They also conducted workshops at schools and colleges to share their music and culture with American young people.

In August 2007, the group performed for Russian President Vladimir Putin, while he was vacationing in Tuva.

Sean Quirk, originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin (U.S.A.), is the group's manager, producer, and interpreter. Quirk and the other members of Alash are also members of the Tuvan National Orchestra.

Recordings

The CD "Alash Live at the Enchanted Garden" is a recording of the group's live performance at the Enchanted Garden in Ridgefield, CT, U.S.A. on March 17, 2006.
In April 2007, Alash released their self-titled first studio album.

External links

* [http://www.alashensemble.com Alash, official website]
* [http://www.ondar.com Kongar-ool Ondar, official website]
* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/20/AR2007062002493.html Washington Post concert review. June 21, 2007] - scroll down to Alash
* [http://www.openworld.gov/press/print.php?id=78&lang=1 "Open World Program Offers Rare Glimpse of Unique Musical Art" February 1, 2006]
* [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11865237/site/newsweek Hearts In Their Throats, Newsweek, March 17, 2006]
* [http://www.tuvaonline.ru/eng/?misc=search&subaction=showfull&id=1120921720&archive=&cnshow=news&start_from=&go=search&ucat= Bady-Dorzhu Ondar and Maya Akhpasheva are Best Singers at the Ustuu Khuree Festival, Tuva Online, July 9, 2005]
* [http://www.tuvaonline.ru/eng/?misc=search&subaction=showfull&id=1106559509&archive=&cnshow=news&start_from=&go=search&ucat= "Who Are This Year's Khoomei Champions in Tuva?" Tuva Online, July 29, 2004]