Alash Returns to Portland

I was excited to hear that Alash, the throat singers from the Republic of Tuva, were returning to Portland. My husband didn’t see them the last time they were in town so I was very happy that he had a chance to attend. See my column from February 2010, Mesermized and Transported by Alash, to read about my first impressions of Alash.

The concert was well attended – I think there were many repeat attendees as well as new listeners. I remember the last time I heard them that the music was rhythmic and made me think of horses. I was surprised this time by the more obtuse (to me) tone of the songs during the first set. The four men, Nachyn Choodu, Bady-Dorzhu, Ayan-ool Sam, and Ayan Shirizhik, were dignified and reserved as they performed. The music was entrancing, particularly a piece named for the mountain for which it was written, Bai-Taiga. That composition was orchestral in depth and breadth, taking us beyond time and space and nearly inducing us into a shamanic journey. The ancestral presence conveyed by these musical sojourners was palpable. Scott Quirk, their ambassador and MC, explained that the Shamanist religion teaches that there is spirit in everything. Many of the songs are old and pay tribute to various parts of Tuva, especially honoring the way they make their living with animals such as yaks, reindeer or camels. The country is divided between mountains, rivers and farmland and the songs originate from these varioius regions and tell their particular stories.

The musical instruments are beautiful, and hand-made of wood, goatskin, bone, horse hooves, and other natural materials. I looked at their website this week, alashensemble.com, and was horrified to find out that their vehicle was broken into some months ago and their instruments, costumes, visas and gifts for their children were stolen. There is a fund set up to help them recover their losses. What a blow it must have been for them to fall victim to the heedless actions of criminals. They were able to borrow instruments to continue their tour but I wanted to post the link if someone wants to donate to help them replace what was lost. They will be touring with Bela Fleck next month for the Christmas season. If you see that they’re playing in your town, don’t miss them!

alashensemble.com/StolenInstruments.htm

Photo by Stephen H. Goldstein, Arlington, Virginia, March 7, 2010