CONCERT PROGRAM

1. Traditional Folk Songs from the Grassland and Beyond

Gavalmaa Busgui — Byambasuren Sharav (1943–2019) · 4:40

Gift Anyagwochu, baritone · Nomin Samdan, piano

Byambasuren Sharav, one of Mongolia’s most acclaimed composers and a People’s Artist of Mongolia, drew deeply on folk melodies to create timeless works. Gavalmaa Busgui tells the story of a young woman, Gavalmaa, alone and sorrowful, her voice carrying the universal longing of the human heart.

Wild Geese — Traditional Urat folk song (Inner Mongolia) · 4:15

Bo Wang, baritone · Nomin Samdan, piano

The wild goose in Mongolian culture is a symbol of fidelity, migration, and longing. Its cry echoes the voices of those separated by distance, reminding us of home, family, and the eternal bond of love.

Mirage of a Distant Land — Traditional Khalkha folk song, arr. Jantsannorov · 4:30

Tatevik Kocharyan, soprano · Nomin Samdan, piano

In the heat of summer, Mongolian herders often glimpse shimmering mirages on the steppe. This poetic song transforms that fleeting vision into a metaphor for human longing and the mysterious beauty of life.

2. Art Songs of Inner Mongolia — The Melody of Ulaantog

At the Horizon (Tianbian) — Ulaantog · 4:30

Bo Wang, baritone · Nomin Samdan, piano

Father’s Grassland, Mother’s River — Ulaantog · 5:00

Bo Wang, baritone · Nomin Samdan, piano

These two beloved works by Ulaantog, a distinguished Inner Mongolian composer, celebrate both vast horizons and intimate roots. One gazes toward the limitless sky, while the other honors the eternal connection to homeland, family, and nature.

3. Ensemble Works

Golden Treasure — Balkhjav L. (1959– ) · 5:30

Gift Anyagwochu, baritone · Tatevik Kocharyan, soprano · Nomin Samdan, piano · Andrew Koutroubas, cello

Originally written as the theme song for the 2016 Mongolian film The Golden Treasure, this lyrical work honors womanhood, dignity, and love. It reminds us that true treasures are found not in wealth, but in respect and equality.

Rain (Boroo) — Byambasuren Sharav · 3:00

Orchestral ensemble

Sharav’s music often captures the spirit of the natural world. Boroo (“Rain”) is a vivid soundscape where instruments mimic the voice of falling rain, evoking freshness, renewal, and the beauty of nature.

Namraa Getz — Byambasuren Sharav · 5:00

Tatevik Kocharyan, soprano · Nomin Samdan, piano · Sicong Chen, violin · Andrew Koutroubas, cello · Matthew Lee, flute

Performed here in a new chamber arrangement, Namraa Getz blends Mongolian lyricism with Western classical textures, evoking both intimacy and grandeur.

4. Songs from Home

Song of the Yue Boatman — Huang Zi · 3:30

Bo Wang, baritone · Nomin Samdan, piano

A timeless Chinese classic, this ancient song reflects yearning and the wisdom of travelers on distant waters.

Antuni (Homeless) — Armenian folk song, arr. Komitas · 4:30

Tatevik Kocharyan, soprano · Nomin Samdan, piano

This poignant Armenian song, arranged by the great ethnomusicologist Komitas, speaks to the pain of exile and the longing for a homeland, echoing universal human emotions across cultures.

5. Closing Song: A Legacy Remembered

Flower-Strewn Blue Kerchief — Battumur Dashdavaa · 4:30

Tatevik Kocharyan, soprano · Nomin Samdan, piano

Battumur Dashdavaa, grandfather of pianist Nomin Samdan, was a towering figure in Mongolian music. His works bridge traditional melodies and professional composition, carrying the voice of the steppe into the realm of classical artistry. Tonight, we honor both the music and the lineage it represents.

6. Possible Encore

The Moon on the 15th — Traditional folk song, arr. Jantsannorov · 4:30

Narantsetseg Ren, mezzo-soprano · Nomin Samdan, piano

A Mid-Autumn Festival classic, this beloved folk song praises the full moon as a symbol of beauty, purity, and harmony.