Georgia lies to the south of Russia, bordered by the Black Sea to the west and by Turkey and Armenia in the south and Azerbaijan in the east. Formerly part of the Soviet Union, Georgia is a small, very mountainous and poor country with a population of under five million but with a rich and ancient cultural life, mainly centering around music. Considering itself European, Georgia is at the crossroads of the east and west, a Christian country influenced by its Muslim neighbours.
Songs of Survival is a comprehensive survey of the traditional music of Georgia with well over two hours of mostly vocal music celebrating the three part polyphonies that lie at the heart of its musical life. There is a 28 page illustrated booklet with copious background notes as well as notes on the songs and performances – hymns, carols, lullabies, work songs, wrestling music, wedding songs, healing songs, city songs. Georgia’s male polyphony is one of the musical wonders of the world. Both archaic and modernist, and melding influences from east and west.
Winner of the German Critic’s Award [Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik] inaugurated in 1963 to set the ‘most rigorous standards for the achievement in the field of recording’.
“The Georgians are probably the most musical people of earth: these recordings give a wonderful snapshot of a society in which many musicians would give their right arm to live. Here, the division between professional and amateur becomes meaningless – such is the commitment of the professional and the skill of the amateur. Everywhere we find their staggeringly beautiful three-part vocal polyphony – whether in a wedding song, lullaby or richly dissonant religious chant” Gavin Bryars
“It’s important in that it’s the first collection to try to give an overview of Georgian music – there’s a huge variety here, making this a very good introduction to the world of Georgian music.” fRoots
“Georgian music, with its other-worldly polyphonic singing style, is justly famous for its clashing dissonances and impressive sound, but recordings are few and far between. Highlights include the female choir Mzetamze, the Kesane Quartet and Georgian Voices – on disc two, there are wonderful hymn-like songs of St Panteleimon Chanters with strange unpredictable harmonies” ★★★★ Songlines
“The CD is full of wonderful improvised polyphony. The soul of these songs arise from the fact that the performers feel the pinch of hard necessity, and sing of strong emotions that go beyond the personal. For these people “keeping it real” isn’t a problem: it’s a condition of life.” The Telegraph
CD one: Work, Lament, Celebration
1 Soinari Ensemble Idjassi
2 Kesane Quartet Ananuri
3 St Panteleimon Chanters Odoia
4 Zedashe Ensemble Makruli
5 Mzetamze Ensemble Zhuzhuna
6 Georgian Voices Makruli
7 Georgian Voices Tamar kalo, kveqnis tvalo
8 Mzetamze Ensemble Khertlis naduri
9 Mzetamze Ensemble Nai-nai
10 Mzetamze Ensemble Shairebi
11 Mzetamze Ensemble Irinola
12 Tsinandali Ensemble Bindisperia sopeli
13 Zedashe Ensemble Irinola
14 Lela Tataraidze Vertskhlis tasadamts maktsia
15 Kesane Quartet Janghi
16 Kesane Quartet Acharuli
17 Kesane Quartet Ra Iamazia Tusheti
18 Kesane Quartet Mival Guriashi
19 Kesane Quartet Pot-pourri
20 Kesane Quartet Vazhao
21 Soinari Ensemble Bagdaduri
22 New Mtiebi Ensemble Sachidao
23 Detsishi Ensemble Tornado
24 Georgian Voices Shemoqmedura
25 Theatre University Quartet Mepis Qali
26 Georgian Voices Suliko
27 Georgian Voices Saqartvelo Iamazo
CD two: Seasonal, Sacred & Family Life
1 St Panteleimon Chanters Aslanuri Mravalijamier
2 St Panteleimon Chanters Upalo Shegvitskale
3 Georgian Voices Chona
4 Mtiebi Choir Ocheshkhvei
5 Jokia Gugava Khorumi
6 Kesane Quartet Mtis Melodiebi
7 Detsishi Ensemble Alilo
8 Mtiebi Choir Nabakeuri Aililo
9 Detsishi Ensemble Batonebi
10 Mzetamze Ensemble Iavnana
11 Georgian Voices Nanina
12 St Panteleimon Chanters Daigvianes
13 St Panteleimon Chanters Gmerti Upali
14 Georgian Voices Aba Darujan
15 Patriarch’s Choir Girso cheshmarito
16 Georgian Voices Tsminda Giorgis tropari
17 Georgian Voices Utsinares mas vadidebt
18 Zedashe Ensemble Raidio
19 Zedashe Ensemble Ghvtismshobelo kaltsulo
20 St Panteleimon Chanters Kakhuri Nana
21 Sioni Cathedral Choir Ttsminda Ninos tropari
22 Sioni Cathedral Choir Upalo Shegvitskale
23 Sioni Cathedral Choir Kyrie Elesion
24 Soinari Ensemble Dilis Saari
