Living Music of the Steppes (various artists) : Multicultural Media MCM3001 (published in 1997 from earlier recordings)

This CD has five Khöömii tracks. Two feature some fine Tserendavaa performance, one Ganbold and one Yavgaan. The Ganbold track is magnificent and a rare example of long song singing with Khöömii accompaniment. The Yavgan track is an interesting arrangement of Altai Magtaal with a Tsuur making a welcome appearance. Also included are recordings from Inner Mongolia.

This collection is intended to introduce listeners to a wide variety of Mongolian instruments and narratives in addition to the morin khuur, khöömiy, and Urtin duu, and to the music of Mongolian tribes living along the Mongolia‑China border.

Instrumental Music and Song of Mongolia

1. Khökhe Torgon ČAmčA (The Blue Silk Overcoat): Performers: Oyonchimeg,

Monkhtestseg, others

Instrumental ensemble Performance featuring the shudraga, khuuchir, and yatag. Famed

shudraga and khuucbir performers are accompanied by a young person.

2. Nabčitai Modu (A Leafy Tree): Bogino duu.

In this land of extreme cold, green foliage is seen only during the life‑affirming

summertime, and the singer's voice also overflows with joy.

3. Uliyastai Yin Goul (The River Of Uliastay): Bogino duu

The people of the arid Mongolian land depend on rivers for their livelihood. The, sight of

the river is a life‑affirming blessing in itself.

4. Zulai Čagan Altai ( the Snow-crowned Altai Mountains) Bogino duu

Because of their closeness to God and extreme value as a water source, the high

mountains were once worshiped by Mongol tribes as "Blue Heaven."

Although this is a recent piece and not an actual folk song, the lyrics reflect traditional

Mongolian sentiments Singer Jargalsaikhan Tracks 1‑4 recorded in 1 Ulaanbaatar. April, 1991.

5. Erkhim Törü (The hallowed road)

A famous Mongolian "long song" (Urtin duu) about how a stable state ensures stable lives for the people, this song is used to open state events and parties, as

well as weddings. singer Norovbanzad morin khuur Tsogbadraf

6. Sünder Agula (Sunder Mountain): Urtin Duu.

The mountain, once the Mongolians' livelihood, was an object of faith. This song is from western Mongolia.

Singer, Tushinjarrgal. Morin khuur Tsogbadraf. Köömiy Ganbolt

7. Altai Yin Magtagal (Altai Mountain Paean): Song of Praise:

There are many, orally‑transmitted epic poems in Mongolia, and such narrations are always preceded by a paean to the Altai Mountains. This paean is sung before

western Mongolian epic narratives. Performers:Yavghan, Bold, Shara. Track 5 through 7 recorded in Ulaanbaatar

Mongolian Musical Instruments and Köömiy

8. Jonon Qara Yin Yabudal (Jonon Qara's Run): Morin khuur Solo.

A narrative fable of the origin of the morin khuur, accompanied by the instrument. The beautiful, sad story involves ill‑fated young lovers, a magnificent winged,

black horse, and the emergence of the morin khuur from its death. Performer Nergiii (Omunu, Gobi Province) Recorded in Ulaanbaatar

9. Shi1len Böör: Köömiy: Mongolian folk love song. Köömiy: Tserendawah from Hovd

10. Arban Tabun U Sar‑A (FULL MOON):Köömiy:

Mongolian khöömiy version of a song popularised in the 1950s by the singer Odonguwa, and also known as "Tryst in Ovoo."

Köömiy: Tserendawah Recorded.. Hovd Province

11. Temee Teshee (To Run Like Flowing Camel's Water): Amankhuur Solo: Mongolian Jew's harp solo. Performer. Gondbash (Dorno Gobi Province)

12. Gang Temor (Copper And Steel): Shudraga Solo: Mongolian folk song. Performer: Dandram

13. Eveen Goul Un Uruskhal (The Flow Of The Eveen River): Zuur Solo. Zuur composition about a river in western Mongolia.

Performer., Narantsog (Hovd Province)

14. Ay1 Nan Ayi, Khoyar Sedkil (Two Hearts) Khuuchir Ensemble Medley: Two love songs. Performem: Baldan, Baatar (Dorno, Gobi Province)

15. Bishur Yin Uria (Bishur Appeal): Bishur Ensemble. Mongolian folk song. The bishur is a trumpet‑shaped shawm. Performerd: Sainbaldundeb, Indu‑reh

16. Khogerkhon Khaliu (A Beloved, Otter‑Coloured Horse): Yatag (Zither) Performance: Mongolian folk song.

Yatag: Narantuya Accompaniment. Chuluunkhuul, Tsogzolmaa. Tracks 11‑16 recorded in Ulaanbaatar

Songs and Narratives of Mongolians in China

17. Dungshang Göögöö Morin kbuur Solo: Folk song from eastern Mongolia about a great hero, Dungshang göögöö, known as Yuinden göögöö on the

Mongolian side of the border. Performer Chi Bulag

18. Dugureng Zaan

Dugureng Zaan was a Wrestler who was hated and finally murdered thehanbecansc because he defeated one of their wrestlers. People have kept his memory

alive through Inner Mongolian long song. Singer Gereltu

19. Janggar (The tale of Janggar):Western Mongolian Epic Poem:

The hero, JangGar, has a brave comrade, Hongor Baatar and this excerpt tells of the deeds of the latter's child, Hoshon. Narration Badamjab

20. Oyrad Un Dagiju: Mongolian Song from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region:

From a Mongolian tribe that has lived for hundreds of years isolated in the Western China Xinjiang region.

Singer Jamcha Tracks‑19 and20 recorded in Urumqi.

21. Holbog‑A' Narrative:

From the Inner Mongolia Autononous Region. HolboG-a means to alliterate and link events and poetry. This form is often used for social commentary. This

example is a celebratory piece. performer., Dorjirinchin Recored in Hohoot

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