Asia Society Presents
Mongolia’s Preeminent Performing Arts Troupe
Tumen Ekh: Music and Dance of Mongolia

Performance on Friday, May 5, 2006 • 8:00 P.M.
Family Day Workshops and Demonstrations on Saturday, May 6, 2006 • Noon – 3:00 P.M

The Asia Society presents Tumen Ekh, Mongolia’s most celebrated performing arts troupe from Ulaan Baatar . Cultural ambassadors of the Mongolian heritage since 1989, these traditional performing artists joined together and took the name Tumen Ekh or “champion horse” from a famous folk song of the same name. Tumen Ekh’s current U.S. tour celebrates the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Mongolian empire under Genghis Khan. Tumen Ekh will perform at the Asia Society -- 725 Park Avenue (at 70 th Street) on Friday, May 5 at 8:00 P.M . Tickets are $20 ($16 for Asia Society members, seniors and students w/ ID) and are available at the Asia Society Box Office at (212) 517-ASIA.

The colorfully costumed singers, instrumentalists and dancers of Tumen Ekh celebrate the diverse Mongolian ethnic groups and regions by performing folk arts that convey not only the traditions that are embodied in their ancient nomadic existence, but also reflect the dynamic forces of nature on the Mongolian steppes. “Tumen Ekh remains true to their national tradition by retaining the authentic spirituality and spontaneity that must have always existed in the original performances. Modern elements are added, musical variations are created on the spot, lyrics improvised and adjustments are constantly made to the arrangements. We are delighted to have this rare opportunity to bring Mongolian culture to New York audiences,” said Rachel Cooper Director of Performing Art and Cultural Programs at Asia Society.

The repertoire for this performance includes music composed for the morin tuur or horse-head fiddle, a plucked lute known as the tovshur, passionate u rtiin duu or Mongolian long songs, and khoomi or short folk songs sung using a multi-tonal method of singing known as “throat singing.” The virtuoso musicians are joined by dancers who will present masked dancers doing the ceremonious tsaam, a dance that has been a part of annual Buddhist celebrations and traditional folk dances.

The Mongolian folk song tradition has two principal forms: the urtyn duu (long song) and bogino duu (short song). The urtyn duu is one of the richest and most treasured of the ancient arts of the Mongols, and is characterized by certain patterns of ornamentation, such as portamento, trill-like yodels, and passages of great melismatic complexity. The tonal range of such songs is as much as three octaves. Koomii, or overtone singing, is a unique Mongol vocal style using the throat. It is only performed by men because it needs much physical strength, although there is no particular taboo against its use by women.

The Morin-Khur is decorated with a horse’s head carved from wood, and has two strings made of horsehair. The instrument has a hoarse voice, combined with an unexpectedly clear tone. While resonating, the independent hairs in each string create a diffuse sound of overtones through interference, a quality greatly admired in Mongolia, with many tones seemingly unintentionally jumping around the general melody. 

The tovshur is a plucked instrument with an oval sound-box covered with skin, and is a familiar instrument in Western Mongolia. Legend has it that it was first made from a saucepan for milk and decorated with a swan’s head to commemorate a sad story involving a woman with a beautiful voice. The tovshur is used for the simple but charming accompaniment of singing without having a virtuoso repertoire of its own.

Mongolian programs made possible in part with support by the Indo-Mongolian Society and the Mongol-American Cultural Association (MACA). National tour of Tumen Ekh made possible by the Trust For Mutual Understanding and the Mongolia Arts Council. Performing Arts at Asia Society are supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Helen and Will Little Endowment for Performing Arts.

Tumen Ekh also joins Family Day: Celebrate Mongolia Family Day on May 6, 2006 from Noon until 3:00 P.M . Tumen Ekh will provide workshops and demonstrations. At 4:00 P.M . Asia Society will also present a Genghis Ceremony which commemorates the 800 th anniversary of the founding of the Mongolian Empire. Family Day and the ceremony is free with Musuem Admission.

About Asia Society

Asia Society is the leading global organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States. We seek to enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of policy, business, education, arts, and culture. Founded in 1956, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution with offices in Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C.  www.AsiaSociety.org.

# # #