Video: Alash Ensemble: Music from the Republic of Tuva
A performance of modern Tuvan throat singing for the Library of Congress by the Alash Ensemble.
This video from the Library of Congress features a performance by the Alash Ensemble, masters of Tuvan throat singing.
Tuva, or the Tyva Republic, is a region bordering Mongolia and Russia, now a federal subject of Russia. It shares musical traditions with both nations, including its famous throat singing. A throat singer is able to produce multiple pitches at the same time, creating a layered effect. The practice is deeply tied to the open, mountainous terrain of the region, as well as the indigenous faiths that imbue it with life. Different styles of throat singing can produce powerful, rumbling low-notes or keening, high-pitched whistles.
According to the Library:
Masters of traditional Tuvan instruments as well as the art of throat singing, Alash are deeply committed to traditional Tuvan music and culture. At the same time, they are fans of western music. Believing that traditional music must constantly evolve, the musicians subtly infuse their songs with western elements, creating their own unique style that is fresh and new, yet true to their Tuvan musical heritage.
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