Fire Museum Records is proud to announce the CD Release Party for our newest release:
Nai Htaw Paing Ensemble - Mon Music of Burma.
Noted ethnomusicologist Rick Heizman (who recorded the ensemble in Yangon, Burma)
will be on hand to discuss the recording of the CD and other related topics, as
well as perform on some of the unique instruments that are heard on this recording.
The event will be taking place on Friday, July 28th at 8pm. The location is:
Sacred Grounds Cafe
2095 Hayes Street @ Cole
San Francisco
Admission is free, CD's will be available for $10 each.
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The rarely recorded traditional music of the Mon people is vanishing
and endangered, highly developed, and barely known even to Asian
traditional music connoisseurs. Historically the Mon were a dominant,
highly cultured, and influential people in Burma more than a thousand
years ago.
There are several instruments peculiar to the Mon. Most recognizable is
the Kyam (crocodile zither), a 3-string long zither with frets that is
shaped like a crocodile. Another is the Batt Kine, a row of 14 or so
pitched gongs that is upturned at both ends like a crescent. Also,
there is the Mon violin, a 3-string fiddle with a western-like body
played upright. This is incredible music with an unique character!
Recorded in Yangon, Burma by Rick Heizman, the Nai Htaw Paing Ensemble are recognized
as masters of traditional Mon music. There is currently an effort by concerned Mon
people to revive and preserve Mon culture, language, and identity, and this recording
will help further this effort.
BIO OF NAI HTAW PAING:
The leader of this ensemble, he currently serves as an assistant
lecturer at Yangon Cultural University. He Started studying Mon
traditional musical instruments, singing, and dance from his father,
Nai Khin Maung Gyi, in 1965. Regularly performs on Mon National Days,
Mon State Day, Union Day, and other important receptions. He
occasionally teaches the new generation of musicians but has
difficulty finding time given the economic situation of the profession.
He would like more Mon nationals to be aware of both their own music,
Myanmar traditional music and other world musics. He is passionate
about rediscovering and preserving the endangered arts of the Mon
culture.
Release date: July 24th, 2006.
more information can be found at http://www.museumfire.com/burma
Cost: free