Orthodox Music of Georgia

sunday, sept 20, 7.30 pm
church of ss simon and jude

Lashari Folklore Ensemble (Georgia)
Giorgi Ushikishvili – conductor (Georgia)

Christianity began to spread in the region of today's Georgia in the mid-4th century AD. The end of the first millenium AD witnessed the founding of numerous monasteries there, attached to each of which was then a highly distinctive vocal school. On the whole, Georgian sacred vocal art absorbed Byzantine and Hebraic influences, apart from which it drew inspiration from the local folk polyphonic tradition with its characteristic three-part setting. The tradition of Georgian church chant is represented by vocal schools affiliated with the monasteries at Gelati, Martvili, Svetitskhoveli, Shemokmedi, and others. Gelati, in western Georgia, is a monastery founded between the late 11th and early 12th centuries, currently on the UNESCO world heritage list. The town of Martvili boasts a similarly long history, linked with the church ever since its promotion to archbishopric in the early 12th century. For its part, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, likewise listed by UNESCO, is Georgia's second largest cathedral and today serves as the seat of the Patriarch of Georgia. Between 1880 and 1920, church authorities and private collectors produced first collections preserving and publishing the nation's ancient heritage. Figuring prominently among them were collections gathered by the brothers Karbelashvili. Each of Georgia's regions has its own song tradition handed down orally from one generation to the next. The various genres include Christmas songs, working songs, congratulatory songs, and others. All of them are part of the repertoire cultivated by the Lashari ensemble.

The Lashari Folklore Ensemble was formed in 1994. Its repertoire encompasses folk songs from various parts of Georgia, performed mostly in the ensemble's own arrangements, a practice contributing to the revival of this particular type of music. The ensemble has worked with Georgian Radio, in whose broadcasts it has been bringing to the general public's attention songs many of which have fallen into oblivion for over a century. Lashari has toured extensively, performing in many countries and taking part in numerous festivals and contests (Oslo, Samarkand, Newport, Expo 2000 Hanover, etc.). The Lashari ensemble has to its credit an extensive discography. Its work has been covered regularly by both Georgian and international press, radio and television companies.

Basic fare: 390 CZK and 290 CZK