Cancelled by the artist |
Tyva Kyzy (roughly translated, Daughters of Tuva) are
the only all-female Tuvan throat-singing ensemble in the world. Hailing from
that part of Russia just above the border of western Mongolia in Central
Asia, the women perform in gorgeous traditional costume and accompany
themselves on indigenous instruments such as the igil (a horse headed
fiddle), the cha-khomus (a bow and arrow mouth-harp that was recently
revived from legend) and their signature instrument, the chadagan
(resembling a hammered dulcimer).
The women sing all the varying styles and techniques of throat-singing, or
khoomei. This multiple-tone harmonic singing is the most well-known
form of Tuvan performance folklore and reveals a deep connection with the
sonic landscape of one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth. The
whisper of the wind, the babble of the brook, the cry of a camel
— all find their place in the
sounds and lyrics of Tuvan throat-singing.
The San Francisco Classical Voice said Tyva Kyzy is "throat singing
at its stupefying best, voices like light seen through a prism."
Tuva is a semi-autonomous republic of Russia, located in the heart of Asia
and isolated from much of the world by its surrounding mountain ranges. In
the capitol city Kyzyl, two rivers join to form the great Siberian river
Yenisey.
Two-thirds of the population (of 310,000) are ethnic Tuvans, traditionally
nomadic hunters and herders with deep spiritual traditions in Shamanism and
Buddhism.
Tyva Kyzy performs traditional throat-singing in their own unique feminine
style. The five members of the ensemble have refined their abilities through
training with master musicians. Several of them perform in the Tuvan
National Orchestra. Their repertoire was developed through long hours of
practice, innovation and by searching out the songs of their elders and of
the land.
Old social taboos held that a woman's throat-singing can cause anything from
unhappiness to infertility or even the death of relatives. Tyva Kyzy was
established in 1998 and their existence and popularity have begun to
challenge these superstitious beliefs. To foster the growth, talent and
confidence of women and girls, Tyva Kyzy members teach khoomei and
folklore to those who are interested. The group has also toured extensively
in Japan, Europe, Russia and beginning in 2005, the United States. All this
strengthens the livelihood of the female throat-singer, which is still
considered a rare and somewhat controversial occupation in Tuva. Sat Feb 21
| 8 pm
CANCELLED BY THE ARTIST CSPS | 1103 Third St SE | Cedar Rapids
$17 advance | $20 day of show
