Ocora - Birmanie [Burma] - Musique d'Art, 2CD

Birmanie [Burma] - Musique d'Art, 2CD
Ocora C559019/55020, recorded 1975-79, CD released 1989

This two disc set compiles works for the Burmese harp, the hsaing waing ensemble (a fine tuned drum, oboe, and gong ensemble), the pattala (a xylophone) and vocal songs. Though the disc covers list three tracks per cd, there are actually many more tracks - the cover lists only time per instrument, not songs, and the cd is broken up accordingly. The harp playing is rather exceptional, especially considering that it's the only harp that has survived the test of time in Asia. The main highlight of the album is most likely the hsaing waing ensemble works, which are able to contain a full dose of energy in a seemingly broken rhythm, though all performers have given parts.

Harp:
01. Maung, That Win - Htoo Machana thichinn khant et An Taw kyo (Hommage au Buddha)
02. Maung, That Win - Pa Pa Win, pat pyo (La princesse Pa Pa Win, improvisation)
03. Maung, That Win; Maung, Maung - Taw myaing ché hlin (Des pas dans le forêt)

Flute and Harp:
04. Maung, That Win - Aung mingala yodéya (Félicité de l'époque d'Ayutthaya)
05. Maung, That Win - Taw hnin taung swé (Chants des montagnes et des forêts)
06. Maung, That Win - Mézataungjé, pat pyo (Dans la forêt profonde)

Hsaing Waing:
07. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Yé guin tethalaut (Chanson des piroguiers) -
08. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Si daw aung ba lé, ninthit ké tihtaung (Souhaitzs au grand tambour lors de la construction du Palais Royal)
09. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Tethalaut tikwét léguin (Musique pour le tir à l'arc)
10. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Byaw (Musique pour l'entrée d'un novice au monastère)
11. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Thémi Ma Hla Mon té (Chanson de la princesse Ma Hla Mon)
12. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Baw lé (Sérénade)

Hsaing Waing:
13. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Tin Htay - Hnin thon tha hé min (Saison de brumes)
14. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Tin Htay - Shwégnila myinkhindaw bwai (Parade des cavaliers royaux)

Pattala:
15. Sein, Maung Aung; Maung, Maung; Sein, Maung Aung - Uténa saung phwé kyo (Louanges à l'esprit de la harpe)
16. Sein, Maung Aung; Maung, Maung; Sein, Maung Aung - Zabuy aungkon saungdaw bwé (Louanges à la harpe, lumière de l'univers)
17. Sein, Maung Aung; Maung, Maung; Sein, Maung Aung - Shwégnila léthwéthinkat, Myinkhin (Parade des cavaliers en l'honneur des esprits)
18. Sein, Maung Aung; Maung, Maung; Sein, Maung Aung - Kaintataw tché yodéya (Louange à la forêt d'Ayuttaya)

Chant:
19. Ya, Mon Na - Taw myaing zon ka (Prélude au Ramayana)
20. Ko, Ko Myin - Yamônna, pat pyo (Louange au fleuve)

Mahagitá ~ Harp & Vocal Music of Burma [2003, Folkways]

01. In praise of the Burmese harp
02. The glory of the king
03. Rain and a princess
04. Lonely in the forest
05. A hunstman enchanted
06. Longing in a forest glade
07. The twelve royal gates
08. The king's potency
09. Waiting



'The complete body of Myanmar classical songs is usually referred to as, the 'Maha Gita' meaning great or royal song. The repertoire is also sometimes referred to as 'Thachin Gyi' or great songs. These were the songs of the royal Myanmar courts and form the basis of Myanmar classical music. The Maha Gita repertoire is pervasive in the performance of Myanmar music. It forms the basis of shared tradition of the chamber music ensemble, the Hsaing ensemble, as well as that of solo instrument performances.' source



'Burma's preeminent player of the arched harp, Inle Myint Maung & one of Burma's most respected singers, Yi Yi Thant, provide a beguiling sampling of the Burmese thachìn gyì repertoire in these stunningly beautiful recordings made in Rangoon in 2000. The Burmese arched harp, a little known treasure among Asian musical instruments, figures prominently in Burma's classical music tradition. That tradition, developed over several centuries in Burma's royal courts, exhibits the restraint, subtlety, and elegance of many aristocratic traditions—but in an idiom uniquely Burmese.' ~ source

more harp with female vocal accompaniment, this thyme comin str8 outta burma. finally got me ears on this one & dam is it stunning. you may [not] remember me gushing about Yi Yi Thant's song on princess nicotine or this cassette scrounged from here, but these are the last recordings made by harpist Myint Maung as he died immediately subsequent, may he rest in peace. owl that's left now are the achingly beautiful recordings, though my ears refuse to understand the third song & i imagine if i was the king of rangoon listening to this in my pimp palace, i would likely want it stricken from the royal repertoire :) apart from that, this is one potent set, lovingly ripped at 320 including a pdf of ze booklet