Building the Mongolian Morin Khuur

The most prominent musical instrument in Mongolia is also the most highly acclaimed and greatly beloved symbol of Mongolian culture. No other instrument holds the place and prominence in Mongolian society as the Morin Khuur which is known as the horse-head fiddle outside of Mongolia. The crafting of the Morin Khuur as depicted in the following photos takes place in stages over several weeks and involves the skills of different specialists.



Unfinished carved Morin Khuur heads.


Finished Morin Khuur head and neck.




Carving the Morin Khuur head.




Crafting the neck of the Morin Khuur.



Preparing the Morin Khuur sound box.

Khoomei-Taiko Ensemble

World Music Institute presents:

Throat Songs and Drums

Khoomei-Taiko Ensemble

Friday, October 16, 2009 8:00PM

Peter Norton Symphony Space

Broadway at 95th Street



Mongolian, Japanese and US artists come together for a fascinating collaboration, highlighting the popular Mongolian art of khoomei (throat singing) with the driving rhythms of Japanese taiko (drums). The Khoomei-Taiko Ensemble features Shinetsog Dorjnyam (khoomei), Shoji Kameda and Tetsuro Naito (taiko), the legendary folk musician Tserendorj Tseyen (magtaal-praise songs, morin khuur - horsehead fiddle, jaw harp), Kaoru Watanabe (fue and Noh Kan-flutes) and Miki Maruta (koto - zither). The program also includes the captivating voice of Mongolia ’s urtiin duu (long song) vocalist Khongorzul Ganbaatar, a featured artist in Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project. NY debut.



This program is supported in part by the Trust for Mutual Understanding, the Asian Cultural Council, the Japan Foundation through the Performing Arts JAPAN program, and American Express.



Tickets $25; WMI Friends $21; Students $18

Info&Tix: 212-545-7536

Box office: 212-864-5400

More Info: http://worldmusicinstitute.org/event.php?id=906