Collaborations

2 Horsemen are Tenzin Choegyal (Tibet) and Baatar Sukh (Mongolia). The combination of two great vocal techniques and powers of _expression makes it a unique duo. Both being from nomadic traditions; in their songs one could feel the vastness of space, appreciate the beauty and the innocence of the nature. They bring a new sound from Australia yet so based within their roots.

Tenzin as a master of traditional instruments such as the Dranyen (long-necked lute) and Lingbu (transverse bamboo flute), he is also accomplished in ritual instruments such as the Suna (reed instrument), and utilises singing bowls, bells, and gongs within his compositions. Surpassing all this, however, is Tenzin’s outstanding voice, rich and memorable in its poignancy and intensity.

Baatar is master of his horse headed fidle Morin chuur and throat singing where one produces two or three vocal lines simultaneously by selectively amplifying harmonics. Legend has it that the fiddle was created from the bones, skin and hair of a magical winged horse upon whose death ht skull became the body of the fiddle.

Terika is an Australian based world music / jazz fusion trio which combines Tibetan folk, smoky saxophone and mellow cello to create a truly unique toe tapping mystical musical experience.

Terika features the creative talents of River Petein on saxophones, Katherine Philp on cello and Tenzin Choegyal who plays traditional Tibetan instruments and provides the soaring vocals. Their musical mastery is matched by their passion for sensitive collaboration, merging the ancient and modern, east and west, secular and religious. The result is an intriguing musical tapestry, rich in its rhythm, melody and meaning.

Terika’s double album “acousticaelectronica” (2007) is available for mail order or download from EthnoSuperLounge.

Meditations and Illuminations on The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

…In the Between… brings together four of Australia’s finest music collaborators in a highly original performance piece that uses The Tibetan Book of the Dead as its source material.

Trikaya features Michael Askill on singing bowls, bells and gongs, Riley Lee on shakuhachi, Tenzin Choegyal on Tibetan flute and voice, and James Coates with spoken word. This richly atmospheric work will inform and transform the audience with the ancient and universal wisdom of Tibet.

‘Liberation through Hearing in the Between’ is a more accurate translation of the 14th century text by Padmakara usually known as The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Combining selected text readings with musical meditations and sound illuminations, the Trikaya quartet performs an original interpretation of this very profound, poetic and universal wisdom

Collaborative works:

• 2003 Under Eastern Skies (ABC)
• 2000 Scattered People (Lifeline)
• 1999 Music as Medicine (Stories & Songs of the People)

Tenzin Choegyal has been a key organiser of events such as:

• The Disorientation Series, with the concert at the Powerhouse (Aug
  04) being the inaugural concert of the Inner Asian Music Foundation;
• Tibet in a Red Box (March 2004) – a week long exhibition at the Metro Arts Centre;
• Tibetan Freedom Festival (March 2001) at Boggo Road Gaol.