Abstract:

From the ANTHOLOGY OF THE WORLD MUSIC COLLECTION:Tibet stands at the confluence of three civilizations, the Turko-Mongolian, the Chinese and the Indian. Enriched from time to time by influences from these, its own ancient tradition has developed in high isolation from the rest of the civilized world. This tradition embraces a very distinctive way of life and a music all its own. Buddhist music is quite different from that of Tibetan art and folk music and is the aspect to which these records are exclusively devoted. The Lamas say "Religion is sound." The recitation of mantras, chanting and the playing of instrumental music are fundamental in their worship. All religious services, recorded in loco, are here presented in their complete form, with very few exceptions as stated in the relevant notes. - adapted from notes by Peter Crossley-Holland "Tibet stands at the confluence of three civilizations, the Turko-Mongolian, the Chinese and the Indian. Enriched from time to time by influences from these, its own ancient tradition has developed in high isolation from the rest of the civilized world. This tradition embraces a very distinctive way of life and a music all its own. Buddhist music is quite different from that of Tibetan art and folk music and is the aspect to which these records are exclusively devoted. The Lamas say 'Religion is sound.' The recitation of mantras, chanting and the playing of instrumental music are fundamental in their worship. All religious services, recorded [on location], are here presented in their complete form, with very few exceptions as stated in the relevant notes." --Peter Crossley-Holland, from his liner notes Three-CD boxset; in slipcase with 24 pages of notes, illustrations, photos. Disc 1: Monks of the Entchi Monastery, Gangtok, Sikkim (Nyingmapa Sect): nos. 1-10 / Monks (Tibetan) of the monastery in Rumtek, Sikkim (Kagyupa Sect): nos. 12 a and b and 13 a and b / Monks (Tibetan) of the monastery in Rumtek, Sikkim, with members of the (Tibetan) lay community (Kagyupa Sect): nos. 11 a and b / Monks of the Sgang-Ngon Monastery, P'hiyang, Ladak (Kagyupa Sect): no. 14 Disc II: His Holiness Sakya Techen, Grand Lama of the Sakyapa Sect: no. 1 / Monks from Sakya, West Tibet, and later of the Guru Gompa, Ghoom, near Darjeeling (Sakyapa Sect): nos. 2 and 4 / Monks from Ngorr, near Shigatse, Tsang, Tibet, and later of the Guru Gompa, Ghoom, near Darjeeling (Sakyapa Sect): no. 3 / Monks (Tibetan) of the Tharpa Chhöling Monastery, Kalimpong (Gelugpa Sect): nos. 5, 6, 7, and 10 / A monk (Ladaki) of the Buddhist School of Philosophy (Gelugpa Sect), Leh, Ladak: nos. 8 and 9 Disc III: Monks of the Sgang-Ngon Monastery, P'hiyang, Ladak (Kagyupa Sect): nos. 1, 2 and 4 / A Ladaki monk of the Buddhist School of Philosophy (Gelugpa Sect), Leh, Ladak: no. 3 / Monks of the Jyumé Tatsang Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet (Gelugpa Sect), later resident in Kalimpong; no. 5