Kyab Yul-Sa – Murmures d’Himalaya (Nangma Prod, 2024)
The Kyab Yul-Sa trio, recipients of the 2021 Prix des Musiques d’Ici award, will debut their new album, Murmures d’Himalaya, on April 26, 2024. The album will be showcased live on stage at Studio de L’Ermitage (Paris) on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
Murmures d’Himalaya serves as a venture into distant territories, offering engaging pieces that range from enigmatic to enchanting, accompanied by melodies, rhythms, and visual elements. Lobsang Chonzor leads this elegant exploration into Tibetan culture, joined by Margaux Liénard and Julien Lahaye.
The Kyab Yul-Sa trio, formed in 2015, unites Lobsang Chonzor with two fellow musicians who have drawn inspiration from various musical traditions. Together, they reimagine Tibetan music by infusing it with influences from Scandinavian, Northern European, and Iranian musical languages, resulting in a vibrant and surprising fusion of sounds and styles, bringing a fresh perspective to Tibetan musical heritage.
Lobsang Chonzor
Lobsang Chonzor, born into exile, inherited the rich cultural legacy of his Tibetan heritage from his parents and masters who were exiled in India. Raised in a vibrant Tibetan community in northeastern India, he received daily immersion in his cultural traditions at a refugee school. Under the guidance of his father, instilled with the duty of preserving their displaced culture, Lobsang was introduced to dance, music, and singing from a tender age.
Upon completing his education, Lobsang Chonzor embarked on a career as a dance and music educator, joining the Gangjong Doeghar (the Snow Lion troupe) in Kalimpong, India, where he developed his craft to professional standards. He furthered his skills by becoming part of a Tibetan opera association, training under esteemed mentors.
Between 2000 and 2007, Lobsang toured extensively with Gangjong Doeghar, performing across India, Bhutan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Europe, both as a solo artist and within groups. In 2008, he made the decision to settle in France, driven by both professional opportunities and personal reasons.
After adapting to his new cultural environment, Lobsang established himself as a professional artist in France from 2010 onwards. Known for his powerful and radiant voice, he draws from the purest traditions of Tibetan artistry, infusing them with a contemporary flair, resulting in concerts of remarkable modernity. He actively engages in collaborative musical projects, enriching his cultural heritage and fostering musical and artistic fusion.
In 2021, Lobsang Chonzor’s trio, Kyab Yul-Sa, was honored with the Prix des Musiques d’Ici award, recognizing his dedication to preserving Tibetan culture and transforming it into vibrant, universal, and timeless music.
Margaux Liénard
Margaux Liénard, born in 1988 into a family of musicians in the wooded region of northern France, inherited her family’s musical legacy. Beginning her musical journey at the age of six under her father’s tutelage, she later pursued formal training at the Conservatory Schools of Valenciennes and Lille, graduating in 2007. While her education encompassed classical studies, she delved deeper into jazz and Irish music during her time at the Paris Conservatory School.
Embracing her role as a versatile improviser, Margaux explores traditional music from Northwestern Europe, including Ireland, Sweden, and France, while also venturing into Eastern styles, developing a distinctive violin technique. Her diverse projects and collaborations span various genres, demonstrating her adaptability and creativity.
Julien Lahaye
Julien Lahaye, a percussionist and performer, has traversed diverse musical landscapes, finding his artistic essence in the intricate rhythms of Indo-European music. Inspired by the musical traditions of Iran, India, the Middle East, and West Africa, he has cultivated a unique style characterized by rhythmic complexity and improvisational freedom.
Julien’s musical path has led him to master a range of percussion instruments, including the tonbak of Persian music and various frame drums. He has benefited from training under master percussionists and has explored Mandinka African polyrhythms with the Guinea National Ensemble of Percussions.
Regularly collaborating with artists from around the world, Julien brings a wealth of cultural influences to his work. As a member of Kyab Yul-Sa, he contributes his rhythmic expertise to create a mesmerizing fusion of global beats.
Descriptions of the songs featured in the album:
GANGKAR: A song celebrating the prosperity of Tibet, known as the Land of Snows.
KHARAG RI: A tribute to nature, particularly the Kharag mountain, by the nomads of the Gnari region in North-West Tibet.
KHAPSHAY: A Tibetan opera ritual song serving as a prelude to opera performances, aimed at purifying the stage by driving away malevolent spirits.
POLSKA: Reflects on the blessing of present reunions and the hope for future gatherings.
AMA: Explores themes of exile and the enduring bond to one’s mother, realized after separation.
ELVEGARD: An instrumental piece.
PODRANG MARPO: Highlights the significance of the Potala Palace, the spiritual center and residence of the Dalai Lama, guiding Tibetans on their spiritual and philosophical journey.
ARO KHAMPA: Celebrates the beauty of the boys from the Kham region.
MANTRA: Features Buddhist verses of Avalokiteshvara, the embodiment of compassion.
TRUK SHAY: A rhythmic segment from the lute dance, renowned among Tibetans.
OPERA: An excerpt from a ritual opera performance invoking prosperity and longevity while dispelling malevolent forces.
Author: Douglas Sanders
