Western Mongolian biyelgee and ikel music

Summary

Western Mongolian biyelgee and ikel music presents instrumental dance tunes and related fiddle repertoire associated with western communities. Biyelgee is a dance practice with distinct community styles; this listening category focuses on its music and neighboring instrumental traditions.

Contemporary and trending

Community performers, stage ensembles and individual instrumentalists continue the repertoire. Modern arrangements are labelled as such; repeated dance videos using one backing recording do not become separate musical recordings.^[1]

History

Recurring rhythmic figures support movement and contrast with sustained song melody.^[2]^[3]

Musical characteristics

Ikel, morin khuur and other instruments appear in different settings. A modern yatga arrangement of a dance tune is not presented as an archival ikel performance.

Geography and communities

Khovd and Uvs provide the principal regional frame. Bayad, Dörvöd, Khoton and other community names remain meaningful within it. Concert circulation beyond the west does not imply uniform traditional practice throughout Mongolia.

Artists

Narantsogt’s recorded repertoire, A. Mungun, and Steve E. Morel’s identified Bayad and Khoton interpretations offer different contexts. Khatun Yatga’s Savardan arrangement represents an explicitly modern ensemble setting.

References

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Source: Western Mongolian biyelgee and ikel music — https://wiki.muglobe.com/wiki/Western_Mongolian_biyelgee_and_ikel_music

[1] Mongol Biyelgee — UNESCO.

[2] Bii-Biyelgee practice and institutional networks — University of Amsterdam thesis.

[3] Traditional music of the Morin Khuur — UNESCO.

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