Arc : Michael Ormiston
1 Traces & Remembrance 10’33'' : Pt1 Morin Khuur Improvisation Pt2 Kongurei
2 Inland Sea 11’04’’ :Pt1 Source Pt2 Fable
3 Mountain Journey 15’32’’ pt1 Salkhi pt2 Us Pt3 Bii pt4 Uul
4 Rubruck’s Karakorum Dance 4’28’’
5 Alaap Twenty Three 13’25
Original compositions, improvisations, and traditional arrangements of Mongolian and Tuvan melodies played on the Morin Khuur (Mongolian two stringed “Horse head fiddle”), the Kobyz (small Turkic “ladle shaped” two stringed fiddle of “shamanic” origins and the Esraj (metal 4 stringed with many sympathetic strings Bengali fiddle). Also featuring Mongolian Khöömii (overtone) singing, “E-Bowed” electric guitar, a bowed & rubbed fishing line, bowed cymbals, gongs, frame drums and jews-harp.
Thanks to Jeff Higley and Candida Valentino for their help and inspiration. Dedicated to my daughter Amina
©2000 Michael Ormiston
Additional Track Information
1. Traces & Remembrance 10’33’’
pt1 - improvised fragment of a Mongolian long song (Urtyn Duu) about the boundless space of the Mongolian Steppes. Played on the Morin Khuur.
pt2 - Kongurei. A Tuvan melody taught to me by the Tuvan throat singing group, Huun Huur Tu. Arranged for Morin Khuur, Jews-Harp & drum.
2. Inland Sea 11’04’’
pt1 - Source - Bowed, rubbed & processed nylon fishing line. pt2 - Fable - E-Bowed Telecaster, Hungaria zither and voice.
3. Mountain Journey 15’32’’
pt1 - Salkhi (wind) - Breathe and Morin khuur harmonics.
pt2 - Us (water) - Long song fragment. Morin Khuur & water (field recording of Buyant river, Khovd, Mongolia).
pt3 - Bii (body/dance) - arrangement of a Mongolian dance melody on Morin Khuur & drum.
pt4 - Uul (mountain) - Arrangement of Dorvon Uul a Mongolian melody for Morin Khuurs, Fender Telecaster, harmony khöömii singing & drums.
4. Rubruck’s Karakorum Dance 4’28’’
In celebration of William of Rubruck’s arrival at Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongolia.
Arranged for Kobyz, frame drums, khöömii, copper bells & rams horn.
5. Alaap Twenty Three 13’25
An improvisation played on an “Esraj” inspired by Indian Classical music and accompanied by Tambura, gongs & bowed cymbal.
