By Patrick Fergus
@Fergus5Fergus
The Springfield community was treated to a very special event in the Marsh Memorial Chapel on Tuesday night, as Alash, a traditional Tuvan music ensemble performed. The audience watched the singers perform their signature style of throat singing.
The performers didn’t speak much during the show other than introducing each song, and let the music speak for itself.
The chair of the department of visual and performing arts, Christopher Gagne, holds annual concerts in the fall and spring semester, and says the arrival of Alash came together out of convenience.
“I was checking to see what ensembles were in the area, and they had a couple of free nights in their schedule, and this one laid well in their tour,” Gagne said.
For those unfamiliar with the sound of throat singing, like many in the audience were, it’s a remarkable technique with multiple pitches at the same time, or overtones. A master throat singer is able to produce the signature low, guttural drone or growl, as well as sharp whistling sounds that evoke the sounds of birds and nature.
Alash consists of a trio of master throat singers: Bady-Dorzhu Ondar, Ayan-ool Sam and Ayan Shirizhik, originally from Tuva, a tiny republic located directly north of Mongolia. Over the centuries, Tuva has been a part of Chinese and Mongolian empires, and holds a rich history of the region’s traditional music.
The ancient art of throat singing, or xöömei in Tuvan, arises from the nomadic herdsmen of the Inner Asian region, and each member of Alash were trained in the traditional musical skill from early childhood.
Students like James Uyar, an English and Computer science major, had never been to a concert quite like this one.
“I’ve seen some versions of throat singing on social media before, but I really didn’t know what to expect,” Uyar said. “When they started holding those really low notes, it was really impressive.”
Outside of the singing talent, the members are also gifted multi-instrumentalists. Tuvan’s customary instruments include the Igil, Doshpuluur and the Murgu.
The Igil is a slim, two-stringed instrument that holds a teardrop shaped body much like a cello, and produces varied and rich sounds. The Doshpuluur can be compared to a banjo with its three strings and is usually plucked or strummed, and the Murgu is an end-blown tube with no holes that produces melodies through restricted airflow.
All three instruments are made entirely of wood or plants to maintain the long-established sounds of Tuvan musical practice.
Over the years they’ve also introduced Western elements into their performances, like the addition of the guitar, as well as a wide variety of new harmonies and song structures.
Besides being able to experience the unique musical form, Gagne believes that concerts like these provide a glimpse into valuable cultures for local communities.
“Even if it’s a one-time thing and you never go back to it, you still have that reference point,” he said. “To get that up close and personal experience with such a unique culture is something that is really valuable.”
Uyar seconds the idea that these types of performances are essential to expanding the knowledge of different cultures.
“I think especially in our college community we’re in kind of a bubble, and bringing in more diversity is important,” said Uyar.
Alash will continue to perform in the area, as their tour runs through mid-October. Upcoming performances will be held in much of New England, New York and New Jersey.
Although the spring concert has not yet been announced, Gagne hopes to continue featuring an assorted group of musicians like Alash.
“Everything you will hear in this series will hopefully be new, and even if you were familiar with throat singing, you’ve never heard it like that,” said Gagne.
Photo Courtesy of Patrick Fergus/TheStudent