Music of Mongolia

In a move symbolizing its growing ties with Mongolia, the U of S will host a performance of the Mongolian National Morin Khuur (Horse Fiddle) Orchestra at 7 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 23 at Third Avenue United Church. The orchestra and its company of 25 musicians, contortionists, diatonic throat singers and folk dancers are on their Oct. 16-27 debut Canadian tour, from Ottawa to Vancouver. They have toured worldwide with their repertoire of Mongolian folk and contemporary music as well as classics by composers like Bizet, Tchaikovsky and Mozart. This tour includes many Mongolian pieces as well as ones by Saint-Saens, Gordon Lightfoot, and even a song with lyrics by Mongolian Ambassador to Canada Galsan Batsukh. The morin khuur is the traditional instrument of Mongolia. It's a two-stringed instrument in the shape of a horse-head, with the strings traditionally made of horse hair. It conveys the rich deep chords of a cello and the intricate tones of a violin. Degi Chuluunbaatar, an official with the Mongolian Farmers' and Flour Producers' Association, who has been a visiting scholar at the U of S and is now a PhD student, says the tour is "very exciting", since it offers a chance for the Canadian public to learn more about Mongolia and its culture. Tickets ($10) will be available at the door, or by calling 966-4279 or 384-2950.

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