Assa journal desires to its readers brightness, tranquility  at all times. Our special guest State honored figure N.Butenbayar also has same aspiration like us. He is well-known in Mongolia as a conductor of Mongolian State philharmonic  and a son of People`s artist,  State prize laureate conductor Ts.Namsraijav but also in abroad. Talking to such a sophisticated person is always enjoyment.



Art makes a human sensible

A Boy who went to Russia to study classic art attracting by Russian art professionals is now the conductor of the State Philharmonic. He was one of the classic art pioneers who planted seeds of classic art in Mongolia. Before he studying at Conservatory in Leningrad he figured himself like a high-class musician. But only after taking an exam at Conservatory everything  turned out badly. Self-assured, “high class musician” became weak-kneed. But fearless, hardy boy played everything he could in director`s room. That time People`s artist, State prize laureate conductor J.Chuluun`s son Ch.Chinbat also went with him. After taking their exams while having a break , two of them heard the music they just played. They found out a younger boy played the music much better than they did hardly. What they saw made two boys blushed. The two thought themselves high class musicians found out what class musicians they really were. In other hand high-flying boys fell down heavily. Suddenly they remembered what they told them by their fathers. Because boys promised to them. They got understand it would be shame if they could not learn well, since they sent by the State fellowship.  Their fathers` word “If you two could  not learn well, we will fall into trouble with money given by the State. So we could be sent to jail” threatened them. The boys frightened by imagining jail and bars and started playing violins. Since then they never hesitated playing violin. N.Butenbayar now remembers those days at Conservatory in Leningrad and says Art makes us sensitive. Russian teachers guided them to make their successful ways. N.Butenbayar now thinks that Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once.

 

He played Beethoven`s IX symphony

N.Butenbayar started teaching after he graduated the Conservatory in Leningrad. But he soon found out himself as conductor. It all began when he organized an orchestra with Soviet artists and musicians and started conducting it. N.Butenbayar started conducting career when he worked as a conductor with that orchestra by playing Serenade by Motsart. Then he had to study as a conductor in abroad in order to succeed his father professional conductor of the State philharmonic Ts. Namsraijav. Since that time he has been conducting symphony orchestra of the State philharmonic and guides through it.

Now let me mention about one of his fantastic performances. You must know Beethoven`s IX symphony. Ts.Nasraijav conducted it first in 1980. N.Butenbayar replayed that performance 30 years later. N.Butenbayar remembered his father and said “As a conductor I have dreamed to conduct the particular performance which my father first played  30 years ago. Now I am proud that my dream came true. A great production, great performance gives audience passion and enthusiasm. Audience who saw the performance of IX symphony must have got that feelings. It`s said that some one who heard fantastic music can stay for three days even without food”

 

Ts.Namsraijav`s fourth generation

He is the second son of his family. His oldest brother is artist. But he is the one who succeed his father`s profession.  His wife is pianist. So are his daughters. N.Butenbayar`s youngest daughter B.Odgerel is solo musician in the State philharmonic. She also teaches at Music and Dance college, “Talented” center. His granddaughter is the fourth generation of Ts.Namsraijav and also attends at Music and Dance college. Butenbayar Namsraijavs is renowned for musician family.

 

Slightly sophisticated

N.Butenbayar wrote a song for his mother. Whenever he misses his mother that song composes and calms him down. He also composed harmonious melody “Remembering father” after his father.N. Butenbayar always remembers his mother`s endless love and care. Unfortunately his mother passed away at young age. People know and talk about how his father was a great conductor. And they were real stars compared  today`s so called starlets. Praise for Tariat is one of N.Butenbayar`s compositions. The story of that song is amazing. Ts.Namsraijav took his son to show him Terkhiin Tsagaan nuur /Terkh white lake/to his homeland Tariat soum, Arkhangai province once.N. Butenbayar was amazed what he saw there. The beautiful scene of the lake was great. Then he wrote a song about his spiritual feelings about the lake. But there is only a few music composition named after  N. Butenbayar. It`s a result that he has always done for others. But many agree that his production is a few but slightly sophisticated.

 

My mother is irreplaceable

A conductor holds a stick in his right hand. If he does not have a stick who would say him as a conductor. And a conductor comes out without his stick it means that he does not understand his profession. But today conductors tend to come out without sticks. I do not understand why. My father Ts.Namsraijav holds his stick whenever he came out. But he holds it in his left hand. People`s artist, State prize laureate conductor J.Chuluun is said the one whose hand movement is skillful. And my father has hand movement  a kind of Russian way. Naturally his hand were robust but so rhythmical. He was such a person. I played once under my father`s conduct. It was a State concert. But I have never worked with my father. Soon after I graduated as a conductor in abroad my father passed away. He left too soon left me regret. He worked as a jury once while I was participating in the State competition. He was apparently seen as proud of his son. I believe that he must have been happier if he is still alive. I have to mention about my mother here. She was renowned violinist  but also could sport huuchir /string musical instrument played with a bow/melodiously. To make his son a violinist was her idea. My mother was a unique musician. I believe there is no one who can play violin like her so far. She is irreplaceable. I am the lucky one who was born in a such great family. It`s said that no one could play “In the lofty mountains of Khentii” melody so far. That melody bleed from her heart. Many young people still try to play that melody. But they still can not play that melody at high spirit. It only matters because they do not play it with their heart, I think. It`s fascinating to feel melody of nature and play it to get people learn with heart. My mother is irreplaceable by playing melody to get people touched. Sometimes I heard my parents` melodies to dispel my regrets in my heart. Two of them too soon left me.