The Inner Mongolia is the origin of the steppe culture and the nomadic civilization. The close connection of the folk to the nature, as well as its respectfulness for its environment is reflected in the cultural life. Characteristic for their music and dances are long passionate sounds and cheerful und rhythmic dances.

On the evening of the December 13th, 2011 the Klavier Galerie and the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna presented a friendship concert – Steppe Artist Troupe from Inner Mongolia with “JAM” – Conservatory for Jazz and Popular Music in Vienna.

The evening started with the students of JAM. Additionally to the jazzy and Viennese songs a Mongolian horse-head fiddle was integrated to the traditionally used instruments. This one gave the whole a hint of the vast steppe.

After that the impressions were intensified through dances and songs from the Wulan Muqi Ensemble. The “Wulan Muqi Ensemble” from Ujimqin Xilin Gol meadows was founded 1950 and since then they travels through the steppes of China. The participants of the Ensemble come from the farmer and herder families. Their commitment to music and art are shown in their passion and they give more than 200 concerts a year. Their goal to contribute the art and joy in the farthest corners of the steppes brings a great popularity among the herders, who call it lovingly “a pearl of the steppe”.

The multifarious program ecstasized the audience. Overtone singing and Humai, which is a special technique to sing two notes simultaneously, fascinated and enchanted everyone. Also the dancing appeared to reflect the lives of the people, because the dancers seemed to float and fly across the steppe.

To finish the musical performance the ensemble invited the audience to dance with them and thus enter the world of the steppe culture.

The successful evening was ended with a buffet and a performance “Traditional Chinese Noodle Art” of Master Chen, who turned dough by stretching into hundreds of separate noodles.