Store: Albums
Georgian Artists
Sakhioba
2007, Sakhioba Folk Ensemble
Founded in the beginning of 2006, the ensemble is mentored by the experience and knowledge of Malkhaz Erkvanidze, director of the renowned Anchiskhati Ensemble, with leadership from the young Seminary graduate and music scholar, Revaz Shanidze. This, their first recording, was completed in the winter of 2007, and includes chants from the Lenten Triodion and the Pentecostarion.
Bridges to the Divine: Ancient Polyphonic Chants from Georgia
2007, Ensemble Zedashe
Seventeen sacred chants from Georgia, recorded by Ensemble Zedashe.
Since separating from the USSR, Georgia's history has been a turbulent one. During times of war and great poverty, these ancient three-part chants (which date back to the 11th century) were resurrected from the ashes. Zedashe members began to study Georgian chanting at Bodbe Monastery — where Georgia's Christian illuminatrix, St. Nino, is buried — in 1993.
Forged in Fire: Ancient Folk Songs from Georgia
2007, Ensemble Zedashe
Polyphonic songs are perhaps the most extraordinary contribution to world heritage that Georgia has to offer. Agaisnt all odds, these ancient songs have survived and outlived the influence of the many conquering civilizations that have ruled over Georgia, including 70 years of communism. Today, Georgian singing continues to accompany every aspect of life, from work in the fields to funeral wakes, from weddings to baptisms.
This album can also be purchased as a companion to the Forged in Fire CD-ROM of wordsheets and music.
Georgian Church Hymns (Shemokmedi School)
2006, Anchiskhati Church Choir.
Price: $17.00
Georgian Church Hymns (Shemokmedi School) is a collection of Georgian sacred vocal hymnody, a rich resource derived from the musical wealth of one of the most important centers of Georgian chant, the Shemokmedi Monastery chant school. The CD contains performances of 31 of the chants from the Georgian Church Hymns (Shemokmedi School) Songbook. Performances are by the acclaimed Anchiskhati Choir of Tbilisi, Georgia.
In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors: Ancient Polyphony of Georgia
2006, Ensemble Zedashe. Recorded in Sighnaghi, Georgia, at Shalva's house and at Bodbe Monastery.
Ensemble Zedashe is a small mixed choir based in Sighnaghi, Georgia that seeks to preserve the informal village style of singing that has been passed down over the centuries in families of bards. The very word ‘zedashe’ means a sacred vessel for keeping wine, or can refer to the place where ancestors are still burried in the earth.
The Raising of Lazare
2002, Ensemble Zedashe
Ensemble Zedashe, from Sighnaghi in the eastern region of Kakheti, strives to preserve authentic performances of Georgian polyphany, the life blood of their country. This album is rich, raw and haunting. Comes with color booklet rich with photographs to impart a flavor of modern traditional village life. Ensemble Zedashe’s director, Ketevan Mindorashvili, has led four Village Harmony singing workshops in eastern Georgia.
Price: $19.99
Chven Mshvidoba:26 Georgian Folk Songs (Guria)
2003, International Center for Georgian Folk Song
An album of Gurian songs, performed by musicians whose native knowledge and love of the singing traditions of their native region illuminate each track.
The songs presented on this CD stand out for their originality (both in the unique Gurian singing style and the brilliant improvisation or the particular performances of the performers).Includes performances by Guri and Tristan Sikharulidze,Vakhtang, Ermaloz and Barnab Sikharulidze, and Anzor Erkomaishvili.
O Morning Breeze: Traditional Songs from Georgia
1999, Trio Kavkasia. Alan Glasser, Stuart Gelzer, Carl Linich
Kavkasia, meaning "Caucasus," consists of three Americans who together have more than forty years of experience singing the traditional music of Georgia.
The trio writes, "In spite of decades of musicology, traditional Georgian tuning is a puzzle that has not yet given up all its answers. We ourselves have drawn inspiration for our tuning choices from old recordings, contemporary Georgian music scholars and living singers in Georgian villages where traditional tuning is still intact."