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"Listeners who enjoy the strangest ethnic music on earth have always had a special place in their hearts for Tibetan music. In terms of the joys of listening to music that hasn't been created by someone trying to be a genius in the recording studio, nothing says it better than a group of Tibetan monks solemnly chanting or blasting away on trumpets large enough to be used as drainpipes on a two-story house. The clang of Tibetan cymbals has also been known to clear wimpy listeners out of houses or record stores, and even cause a divorce or two along the way. This is just one level of the genius that can be appreciated on these recordings, because of course these albums can be dealt with on a much higher philosophical and intellectual level. And, as the years go on, recordings made in the early '70s in Bhutan acquire more and more historical value. "
All Music Guide

Bhutan - closest neighbor and sole heir to the mighty civilization and traditions of Tibet. These are the extraordinary recordings of the temple rituals and sacred ceremonies of the monks of Bhutan.
Recorded in the great monasteries by John Levy, this four CD set represents possibly the most extensive and important recorded documents of Tibetan ceremonial music ever undertaken! Invited by the king of Bhutan, Levy was afforded every facility for recording monastic music in the principal dzongs (great fort-like monasteries) of the Nyingmapa Order. The ethereal Polytonal throat chanting, the long trumpets, shawms and percussion instruments, the processional music and spectacular mask dances, Tibetan and Bhutanese secular songs and poems, all reproduced with incredibly sonic fidelity! A truly remarkable collection, this series is complete with four compact discs with extensive liner notes, photographs, and musical illustrations by John Levy.

Volume One contains examples of tunes most enjoyed by the monks and nuns of the Drukpa Order, as well as the deep, ethereal monotone chants most associated with Tibetan Buddhism. Long trumpets, processional music, shawms and percussion instruments are all heard on this amazing disc. Includes ten pages of detailed original liner notes, photos and musical illustrations by John Levy.

Tracks:
1. Genyen Gi Topa (In Praise of Ge-Nyen) performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 2:34
2. Chham Gi Serkyem Gi Yang performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 1:16
3. Tashi Tseringmai Dzabkul performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 5:00
4. Dung Chen, Gulgyen (Throat Ornament) performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 1:28
5. Dung Chen, Nyithu Panglep performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 0:42
6. Duchog Gonpoi Chendren performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 2:59
7. Chakchen Sondep (Petition to Chakchen) performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 4:20
8. Tshetro Jinbeb performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 3:01
9. Lama Kusum Gi Sondep performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 3:54
10. Dewachen Gi Monlam performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 0:59
11. Druamar Chabdro Sondep performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 1:12
12. Lamai Tenzhug Gi Yang performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 1:10
13. Lay Monk Turns a Large 'Mani-Wheel' and Recites a Mantra performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 1:45
14. Nyungne performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 1:33
15. Nyungne (Interlude) performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 3:02
16. Nyungene performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 2:08
17. Bo Go Gyaling (Tibetan Shawm) performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 1:30
18. Banga Trin Trin performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 3:20
19. Dung Chen (Long Trumpets) performed by Monks In Thimphu / Nuns In Punakha - 2:36

Additional Information

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