The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia (UBC) presents the Canadian premiere of Anda Union, the renowned folk group hailing from regions across Inner Mongolia, March 26 at 8pm in the Chan Shun Concert Hall. The nine-member ensemble will captivate with a transcendent fusion of ancient sounds created through haunting throat singing and music performed on such rare instruments as the horse head fiddle and two-stringed lute.
“I first witnessed Anda Union in Shanghai a few years ago, and was profoundly impressed by their musicality and stage presence,” says Joyce Hinton, Co-Managing Director of the Chan Centre. “For our audiences who are often on the lookout for new and adventurous musical experiences, I knew Anda Union would make a wonderful addition to our series. I look forward to introducing this group of brilliant musicians in their first-ever Canadian appearance.”
Anda Union are a band of artists brought together by a passion for preserving the forgotten sounds of their Mongolian heritage. The members, who consider themselves musical gatherers, come from different tribes united by the legendary Genghis Khan, and blend the styles and influences of their respective lineages. The result is a singular collective sound from the Mongol tradition.
Through a combination of ethereal melodies, soaring vocals, reverberating throat singing, and heart-pounding rhythms, Anda Union evoke the natural wonders of their rustic homeland. The band’s rich and varied instrumentation includes: the Morin Huur or “horse head fiddle” with a rich, melancholic tone; the Tob Shur, a Mongolian two string lute; and the Moadin Chor, a flute sounded while the player engages in throat singing – an exceptional skill mastered by only a handful of Mongolian artists. The vocalists are also known for their tradition of Mongolian “long-song” singing which is characterized by elongated lyrical phrases. Working their magic with these various instruments and singing styles, Anda Union convey everything from the gentle song of bird calls, to the rush of wild horse hooves, echoing sounds heard on the Inner Mongolian steppes.
Chan Centre Connects Events (chancentre.com/connects)
A series of ancillary events programmed in conjunction with Chan Centre performances, exploring the role of arts and artists in society.
• Film Screening: Anda Union – From the Steppes to the City – Thursday, March 23, 2017, 7pm @ The Cinematheque, 1131 Howe Street. This 2011 documentary takes us on a journey through the grasslands of Inner Mongolia to reveal the roots of Anda Union’s haunting and beautiful music.
• Anda Union Throat Singing Workshop – Sunday, March 26, 2017, 11am @ MBA House, 3385 Wesbrook Mall, UBC. Members of Anda Union will conduct a special workshop for all ages that includes a throat singing demonstration, lesson, and more. FREE. Presented in association with Wesbrook Village.
• Pre-Show Talk with Tim Pearce – Sunday, March 26, 2017, 7:15pm @ Royal Bank Cinema, The Chan Centre. Anda Union Manager Tim Pearce discusses the past, present and future of the ensemble.
Chan Centre presents: Anda Union
Date: Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 8pm
Ticket prices: From $38
Address: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts University of British Columbia 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Box Office: 604-822-2697/chancentre.com
In person at the Chan Centre ticket office
Open Tue-Sat, 12pm-5pm
Website: chancentre.com