Composer Spotlight
Urtaa Gantulga
The Mongolian Horsehead Fiddle
Wed., Oct. 13 @ 7:30pm
Jack Straw Productions
4261 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle
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Mongolian horsehead fiddle (morin khuur) player Urtaa Gantulga will perform traditional dance music, long song (urtiin duu), short song (bogino duu), as well as western music to show the diverse range of the morin khuur. He will also discuss the history of the instrument, and its unique techniques.
Sometimes referred to as "the cello of the steppes," the morin khuur's improvisational tradition dates to before the 13th century. For generations it has been passed orally. Considered a symbol of Mongolian culture and history, the morin khuur is a foundation for many Mongolian performing arts (song, dance, drama, stories and blessings). In 2003 the morin khuur was listed as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations (UNESCO).
Born in outer Mongolia, Urtaa Gantulga began studying morin khuur at the age of eleven. The son of a traditional Mongolian wrestler, Urtaa began racing horses at 5 years old and was the two time champion of the famous Naddam Horseracing Festival. However, at the urging of his grandfather, who loved folk singing, he decided to study music. In 2000, Mr. Gantulga joined the Mongolian Morin Khuur Ensemble and three years later graduated from the Music and Dance College in Ulaan Bataar. He has performed in over 14 countries, including Russia, China, Japan, North and South Korea, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. Three years ago, Urtaa moved to the U.S. to expose western audiences to the morin khuur and increase Americans' knowledge of Mongolian culture. He currently teaches and performs in Seattle.
This project was made possible in part through support from 4Culture’s Individual Artist Projects program.
Supporters
Jack Straw Productions gratefully acknowledges The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, City of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, 4Culture King County Lodging Tax Fund, Washington State Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, PONCHO, ArtsFund, Seattle Foundation, and individual contributors for their support of Jack Straw Artist Programs.