I met Monkhbaiyir, left, through my friend Zorigtkhuu, far right. Maral-Erdene in lavender, and Ganbaatar join us in a game of Phase 10 at a local java joint.
Tonight I received a great gift. Monkhbaiyir who I just met this evening told me he was a pianist and music teacher at a local school here in UB. (Ulan-Bator) I asked Monkhbaiyir if I could get an album of his music. Instead he said, “Come with me to my school right now, and I will play for you.” So, Zorigtkhuu who also teaches at the school, and I went with Monkhbaiyir to the top floor, turned on the lights to the music room, and thus started our impromptu concert.
Monkhbaiyir and his muse.
Monkhbaiyir’s Playlist:
- Chopin’s Second Nocturne
- Bach’s Preludio II
- Mozart’s Eighth Sonata
- Two of Monkhbaiyir’s pieces, one entitled “Thought”, the other untitled.
- Zhantchannorov’s “I Want to Love You”
- Khangal’s “Migrating Birds”
The last two names on the list are famous Mongolian composers. How marvelous it was to sit in reverie listening to the influence of the steppe on their musical compositions. You never know what priceless offering you may receive on the steppe. Monkhbaiyir’s gift leaves me speechless.
Transform Siberia 