July 2, 2019
KUCHING: Sedaa means “voice” in Persian and connects traditional Mongolian music with the Orient which makes an extraordinary and fascinating sound, the group consists with master singers Naranbaatar Purevdorj, Nasanjargal Ganbold and Ganzorig Davaakhuu together with Omid Bahadori, a Persian multi-instrumentalist and composer also living in Germany.
Sedaa created a genuinely exotic connection that transcends borders and cultures. Their music prises you away on a journey into the wide landscape of nature moreover natural sounds produced by traditional instruments and age- old vocal techniques of their nomadic ancestors where one person can produce several tones at the same time.
The base of their modern composition is formed by natural sounds which are produced with traditional instruments and the use of old age song technologies of their nomadic ancestors with which a person produces several tones at the same time. Ancestral overtone singing was used to reproduce the natural sounds of flowing rivers, winds, echoes of the mountains, rumble of thunder and many other natural occurrences inspired by the Mongolian landscape.
Vibrating undertone vocals and the amazing harmonic singing khömii (throat singing) with the company of the melancholy sounds of the horse head violin morin khuur and the pearly sounds of the 120 strings dulcimer (known as yochin) melt into the pulsating oriental drum rhythms to one mystical sound. Other instruments in Sedaa’s repertoire include the ikh khuur (double bass), bischgur (Mongolian oboe), dombra (a two string plugged instrument), guitar, cajón (a box-shaped percussion instrument and the rahmentrommel (frame drum).
Sedaa have been playing together and touring in hundreds of concerts all over Europe, and have produced four albums, Mongolian Meets Oriental (2010), Letter From Mongolia (2011), New Ways (2012), and East West (2018). In their later works there is a shift where they skilfully expand traditional sounds with danceable rhythms.
The virtuosity of these musicians has allowed them to evolve into a seasoned and confident quartet, honing their virtuosity in the various instrumental and vocal traditions. This is perfect crossover music mixed in a natural way.
The Rainforest in the city (RITC) takes place from July 2 – 11 at Kuching Amphitheatre from 8.00pm till 11.00pm daily, hosted by Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak, in collaboration with Sarawak Tourism Board. It is Free and open for public.
The Rainforest World Music Festival takes place from July 12-14 at the Sarawak Cultural Village and is organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board, endorsed by Tourism Malaysia and is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Youth Sports Sarawak.
For further information on tickets, festival activities and logistics, please log on to https://rwmf.net/