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Chirgilchin in Seattle - Master Tuvan Throat-Singers

Chirgilchin means both "mirage" and "miracle" in the Tuvan language. One of Tuva's leading throat-singing ensembles, Chirgilchin makes its long-awaited return to the Pacific North West with an evening of folk-rooted music and otherworldly singing. Chirgilchin members are recent champions of the Tuvan National throat-singing competition held in Tuva's capital, Kyzyl. They sing ancient folk songs in the Tuvan language and play their own handmade traditional instruments such as the doshpuluur, a two-stringed lute; igil, a two-stringed fiddle; and dungur, a rattle drum used by Tuvan shamans in their ceremonies.

"Throat-singing" is an extraordinary vocal form in which one singer produces two or more voices simultaneously, harmonizing one with another to create richly layered melodies which evoke central Asian steppes and nomadic life. This music is truly astonishing, magical, and beautiful. Atmospheric and mesmeric, it is almost too difficult to describe in words and must be heard to be believed the sounds are produced by resonating low sounds in the throat while harmonizing with middle and high flute-like overtones.
This ancient tradition is kept alive and kicking in just a few countries across Central Asia and south of Siberia. The highest developed forms of throat-singing come from Tuva and the members of Chirgilchin are some of the most celebrated and accomplished throat-singers in all of Tuva.