The Winds of Heaven
by Michael Ormiston (Amina 2003)
The Winds of Heaven is Michael Ormiston's first CD dedicated to
overtone singing. Hear traditional Mongolian & Tuvan melodies sung in
khöömii, accompanied by Michael's rare collection of Mongolian instruments and
new compositions and improvisations using overtone singing, Tibetan singing
bowls, “simultaneous overtone singing with ney flute” and gongs.
Khöömii is a
remarkable style of singing where one person sings two or more distinct pitches
at the same time. Khöömii originates from the central Asian plateau,
particularly the Altai & Sayan mountain regions of
1. Altai Magtaal 6’32’’ Arrangement of
a magtaal (praise song) to the
Tobshuur (Mongolian 2 string fretless
lute), Morin khuur (Mongolian
horse-head fiddle), Tömör khuur
(metal mouth harp) and drum.
2. Uriangkhai Arshaan/River Eev 7’43’’ Simultaneous
overtone singing & Embilta (Ethiopian end-blown flute) inspired by the
Tsuur
instrument of the Uriangkhai people of
west
(bamboo mouth harp), percussion &
Embilta.
3. Buyant
Gol/Khümüün Torlokhton/Arty-Sayir 4’38’’ Two Mongolian melodies & one Tuvan
for khöömii & morin khuur.
Dedicated
to Tserendavaa my khöömii teacher.
4. Batterjoe 4’57’’ Dedicated to Batterjoe, a Mongolian man who could imitate any sound.
For Tömör khuur & overtone singing.
5. Lus 2’59’’ A call to the water spirits of
6. Tegsh
6’28’’ Tegsh is a Mongolian shamanistic concept
of living one’s life in balance.
Candida
Valentino - high overtone singing, toning with high Tibetan singing bowl.
Michael -
low overtone & undertone singing & low Tibetan singing bowl.
7. Oirat
Messenger 7’19’’Dedicated to Nicholas Roerich and the Oirat
Mongolians of the Altai that he met in his travels in the 1920's.
For
overtone singing, didgeridoo, bowed
& struck Tibetan cymbal.
8. The Winds of Heaven -
(Tengri-yin Salkhin) 21’54’’ Inspired by a Jalait Mongolian poem.
The Winds of Heaven shift and change, your body will
not live forever;
your mortal body has but its brief span of life.
May we, fast friends that have met, all live long and
happily together!
Arranged
for gongs, overtone singing choir, khöömii, morin khuur, bowed and plucked Yatag (Mongolian long zither).
9. Tannu Ola
Watershed 7’23’’A call of thanks to the Mongolians, Tuvans and
their ancestors across the endless landscape of the Tannu Ola
mountain
range that now divides these two peoples. Sung in my khargiraa accompanied by a
morin khuur.
All instruments & pieces played, arranged and
composed by Michael Ormiston © 2001
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