Book excerpt: Where Rivers and Mountains Sing takes readers on a journey through the rich sonic world of inner Asia, where the elemental energies of wind, water, and echo, the ubiquitous presence of birds and animals, and the legendary feats of heroes have inspired a remarkable art and technology of sound-making among nomadic pastoralists. For inner Asian pastoralists, sound and music form part of a spiritual relationship with the natural environment that has endured in the face of formidable social and political challenges. As performers from Tuva and other parts of inner Asia have responded to the growing worldwide popularity of their music, Levin follows them to the West, describing their soul-searching efforts to nourish global connections while preserving the power and poignancy of their music tradition. The book includes a combination video DVD and music CD to acquaint readers with the musicians and their music.