Classic and popular recommendations in ethnic music

SaranbeniSapporo Upopo Hozonkai

Saranbeni (Sapporo Upopo Preservation Society)

This is traditional music of the Ainu people.

Ainu music includes several types, such as the round song upopo and the epic yukar.

It also sometimes features distinctive instruments like the tonkori, which is similar to a guitar, and the mukkuri, a type of jaw harp.

Sea Breeze ~SEA WINDBoku Junga

Park Seung-a Gayageum 'Sea Breeze ~ SEA WIND'

This is a piece for the gayageum, a traditional musical instrument of the Korean Peninsula.

It originated in the Gaya confederacy and was mainly used in court music.

It was introduced to Japan during the Nara period; since the peninsula was under Silla at the time, it was called the Silla harp (Shiragigoto), and it was favored by the aristocracy.

Raag KhamajRavi Shankaru, Anushukā Shankaru

Celebration: Raga manj khamaj

This is a performance on the sitar, a traditional musical instrument from northern India.

The sitar has 19 strings and is played by plucking them.

The performers are Ravi Shankar, a leading master of the sitar, and his daughter, Anoushka Shankar.

Ravi Shankar is also the father of Norah Jones.

Over the RainbowIZ

OFFICIAL – Somewhere Over the Rainbow 2011 – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole

This is “Over The Rainbow” sung by IZ, a Hawaiian musician and ukulele player.

IZ was a very popular artist with a gentle singing voice and skillful ukulele playing, but sadly he passed away at a young age.

Even so, the music he left behind always brings us the blue ocean, sky, and breeze.

Dandini dandini dastanaNinni Dinle

Dandini Dandini Dastana Danalar Girmiş Bostana Ninni Dinle

It’s a Turkish lullaby.

Many Japanese lullabies have a melancholy melody, and this one is also wistful—it makes me feel as if I might be drawn into a labyrinth if I fall asleep while listening to it.

The melodies and harmonies used in Turkish music share many commonalities with Japanese music.

Rocked in an ox-drawn cartAtautarupa Yupan’ki

Atahualpa Yupanqui – Los ejes de mi carreta

Atahualpa Yupanqui was a leading figure in Argentine folklore and a master guitarist, and he left behind many renowned pieces that he composed himself.

“Atahualpa Yupanqui” is a stage name, and both “Atahualpa” and “Yupanqui” are names of emperors of the Inca Empire.

Indonesian Gamelan MedleyAmanda Pākasshon Gurūpu hoka

Indonesian gamelan medley from Java, Sunda and Bali

This is a medley of Javanese gamelan.

While gamelan is also found in Bali, Javanese gamelan features a slower tempo and a more relaxed feel than the Balinese style.

It is an ensemble-based music centered on bronze percussion instruments, originating from court music.