Will Leave you Breathless!!!
Soto | Tokyo | 03/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Part 1 of a new trilogy that will lead you through some of the highlights (though not nearly all) of Central Asian music.
This series really must be heard and thought of as one work.
Highly recommended! The CDs themselves are top level productions, but the additional DVD and booklet in each is something that makes this particular series like "gold" for serious music lovers."
A beautiful presentation of Kyrgyz music with no gimmickry c
Christopher Culver | 07/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This may be the most important series of world music CDs ever. The Music of Central Asia initiative was set up by the Aga Khan and the Smithsonian Insitution to document the surviving folk music traditions of that rich part of the world, and to present it to the global community with enough background to get the most out of it. Each volume in the series comes with a substantial booklet with an explanation of each track and a presentation of the instruments, as well as a DVD with a short documentary film.
Volume 1 of the series features music by Tengir-Too, a Bishkek-based ensemble which explores the whole range of Kyrgyz traditional music. The main folk instrument of the Kyrgyz is the komuz, a three-stringed lute. They also have the kyl kiyak, a fiddle; the choor, an end-blown flute; the chopo choor, a clay ocarina; the sybyzgy, a side-blown flute; and both metal and wooden jew's harps. In terms of musical material, we have shepherd's ditties, dedicatory improvisations for patrons, popular song, and virtuoso instrumental tunes. But most impressive for me was a recital from the "Manas", the long Kyrgyz national epic, expertly delivered by the bard Rysbek Jumabaev.
I really admire how this CD encompasses the whole range of music on traditional instrument. Beyond representing folk music, it acknowledges Soviet-era compositions as a part of the culture. Generally, these sort of productions either offer only the schmaltzy socialist realist songs (think of Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares), or only ethnographic recordings of the indigenous tradition. Tengir-Too even goes further, writing a work for three jew's harps, a something new and fresh but a on very old instrument (it's is usually a solo thing).
The 20-minute documentary on the DVD is excellent. It features each of the musicians recorded here performing on their instruments, shows a komuz player teaching children how to play (an encouraging sign), and has plenty of shots of Bishkek and the wide Kyrgyz wilderness where this music hails from. The DVD is even vital for getting the most of the Manas recital on the CD, because only on the DVD can one see the traditional hand gestures of the bard as he recounts his tale, a vital part of the storytelling.
If you are interested in indigenous musical traditions, Turkic languages, Central Asia culture or are just a simple music fan on the lookout for something cool, I cannot recommend the Music of Central Asia series enough."
A truly unique, authentic and inspirational listening experi
Midwest Book Review | Oregon, WI USA | 05/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Volume 1 of the "Music of Central Asia" series, Tengir-Too: Mountain Music of Kyrgyzstan is a deluxe music CD and DVD combination that brings to life the diverse musical culture of a region that has long been inaccessible to outsiders. Embracing Kyrgyzstan Jewish traditions of the harp, fiddle and plucked string instruments as well as moving vocals, Tengir-Too includes a 48-page booklet with color photographs, comments upon the region and its music, and the vocals in their original language and English translation. The DVD offers a series introduction, 24- minute film, interactive glossary, and map; the music CD has 18 tracks - Novelty (3:14), The Spoiled Girl (2:07), I Burn, I Smoulder Like Charcoal (3:27), Kokotoi's Memorial Feast (6:26), Gift (2:07), Impudent One (3:21), I'm Sad To Say Goodbye (2:33), Attila Khan, (3:28), Ak Satkyn and Kulmyrza (9:10), Ocarina (2:00), Flower (3:36), On the Road (2:27), Soviet (3:11), I Remember (5:04), Wide Valley (2:39), I Miss You (3:31), Kambarkan (4:50), A Melody That Wakes Up a Girl (2:47). A truly unique, authentic and inspirational listening experience.
"
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1