Soyol Erdene


Soyol Erdene is the first rock band of Mongolia.

Name

"Soyol Erdene" is the name of a melodious popular song of 1920s which the band played on an electric guitar. The approximate meaning is "Cultural jewel".

History

The band was established in late 1971. The Minister of Culture of that time, famous novelist Ch. Lodoidamba called four young musicians and said: "England has a band the Beatles of four young men. Why shouldn't we have a similar band?" The four young musicians, who had recently graduated from the School of Music and Dance in Ulaanbaatar as yatga players, established a rock band. The members were Tserenbat, Erdenekhuyag, Batsaikhan and Naranbaatar. Later members were Galsanbat, Zundari, Bayar, Damdinsuren, Jargalsaikhan, Jargalsaikhan, B. Tsolmon. Among the more recent members were D. Enkhbold and Kh. Bulgan. Soyol Erdene also performed for female singers Rentsenkhand, Nandintsetseg, Dulamsuren, Uranchimeg, Nasantogtokh, and Ariunaa.
During socialism, the band worked under the administration of the State Philharmony which also supervised a symphony orchestra and the jazz band Bayan Mongol.
The first compositions of the band were Mongolian folk songs in a rock style arrangement as well as songs written by the members of the band. They often used poems of famous Mongolian writers.
The rock band was frequently criticized by the MPRP censorship for promotion of the Western musical style and Western fashion.
Soyol Erdene won the gold medal at the 10th World Festival of Youth and Students in 1973.

Repertoire

Among the most popular songs created by the members of Soyol Erdene during its merseybeat period in the early 1970s were "Setgeliin jigüür", "Zürhnii aizam", and "Uchraliin uyanga" by Zundari, Ankhnii khairiin duu and Hüleelt by Jargalsaikhan.G, glam rock 6:45, Tursun udriin duu, 18 nas mini namaig buu orkhioch, Burged, rock composition Chinggis khaan by Jargalsaikhan.D,
The most popular rock interpretations of Mongolian folk songs were "Damdin" and "Tonjoo". Western Mongolian folklore fitted well with the rock arrangement.
The most renowned instrumental compositions of Soyol Erdene were "Soyol Erdene", "Sansriin khölög", Tsenkher zalaa and "Ankhnii tsas" by Naranbaatar, rock composition "Bid" by Jargalsaikhan.D