PhD Title

National Identity, Tradition and the Development of Professional Music in Mongolian Film: An Ethnomusicological Approach

Supervisors

Dr Judith Nordby and Dr Kevin Dawe (School of Music)

Research Study

My research is on Mongolian film music of the socialist era and its aftermath, and what it tells us about Mongolian notions of national identity and changing traditions. I will be examining Mongolian nomadic music and how it was changed and developed due to Party policy during the socialist era (1921-1990). I will study the Soviet influences on Mongolian film composers, from obligations to promote the socialist ideology to their formal musical training in conservatoires in the Soviet Union.

Composers' nomadic musical background in combination with formal musical training resulted in the creation of a 'new genre' of music – a fusion of Mongolian folk music and Western classical music – which has been termed 'professional music'. This new style was used widely in Mongolian film soundtracks and helped promote socialism whilst maintatining a sense of Mongolian national identity. The post-socialist era saw film music split in two directions: films made entirely in Mongolia adopted Korean-influenced pop music, whilst films co-produced by foreign studios tended to use (imagined) pre-socialist Mongolian nomadic music in their soundtracks.

My research is fieldwork based: I spent a year in Mongolia (2008-2009) interviewing film composers, musicians, nomads and film industry professionals. I also viewed numerous films produced by Mongol Kino, Mongolia's only film studio before 1990, attended concerts, and lived with nomadic families to observe and participate in their daily music making.

Background

I have an honours degree in classical music from the University of Birmingham, a PGCE in music, a Master's degree with distinction in creative writing from the University of Wales, and a Master's degree with distinction in composing for film and television from Kingston University. My interest in ethnomusicology began during my first degree when I conducted fieldwork into the Irish music scene in Birmingham, and my interest in Mongolian music was aroused during a holiday to Mongolia in 2005.

Email: mclmr@leeds.ac.uk