Meditative Mountain Music

"Music of Central Asia is a co-production of the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia, a program of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The aim of the series is to present leading exponents of Central Asia's rich and diverse musical heritage to listeners outside the region."


So says the blurb on the back cover of the CD/DVD set "Tengir Too - Mountain Music of Kyrgyzstan", which is Volume One of the series.

Tengir Too is an ensemble formed to modernise Kyrgyzstan's folk music tradition, which historically was played solo by shepherds on a range of wind and string instruments as well as the so-called Jew's Harp*. The ensemble music is true to the roots of the music, and represents a gentle experimentalism. A wide range of exotic and beautiful sounds is on offer here, and the accompanying DVD contains some intimate performances and interviews, plus spectacular scenery.

A lovely package, highly recommended. Sound samples are here.

* Having heard both instruments, I wonder whether this colloquial name is due to the tiny instrument's sonic resemblance to the ancient Begenna, or Harp of David, still played in Ethiopia. See here for a sample of that tradition of spiritual music.

A Bad Trip

Japanese Director Sion Sono's Strange Circus is an appropriately shocking and disturbing film about childhood sexual abuse. Nothing is what it seems, as we witness events on screen through the lens of the disintegrated mental state of one of the characters, but it's safe to say that the various possible interpretations of the disjointed story are horrendous. I haven't painted a pretty picture, yet this is a remarkable, visually striking, and highly original film, full of twists and turns, that takes a hard-hitting approach to its subject matter. It ought be appreciated by those with a taste for challenging cinema, but its extreme approach will alienate more than a few.


Masumi Miyazaki gives an excellent triple performance as writer Taeko, the older Mitsuko, and her mother Sayuri.

The US Region 1 DVD from TLA Releasing (in their Danger After Dark series) makes for top quality viewing.