Traditional Georgian Polyphonic Singing Comes to LTV

Popular singing has a highly valued place in Georgian culture. Polyphonic singing, in the Georgian language, is a secular tradition in a country whose language and culture have often been oppressed by invaders. On Sunday, May 21, LTV Studios in Wainscott will host “Discover Georgian Culture Through Music,” a concert performance. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 6 p.m. with the band Georgia performing traditional Georgian polyphonic singing and demonstrating folk music from their country. Wine samplings and snacks from the country will be available.

There are three types of polyphony in Georgia: complex polyphony, which is common in Svaneti; polyphonic dialogue over a bass background, prevalent in the Kakheti region in Eastern Georgia; and contrasted polyphony with three partially improvised sung parts, characteristic of western Georgia. The “Chakrulo” song, which is sung at ceremonies and festivals and belongs to the first category, is distinguished by its use of metaphor and its yodel, the krimanchuli and a “cockerel’s crow,” performed by a male falsetto singer. Some of these songs are linked to the cult of the grapevine and many date back to the eighth century. The songs traditionally pervaded all areas of everyday life, ranging from work in the fields (the “Naduri,” which incorporates the sounds of physical effort into the music) to songs to curing of illnesses and to Christmas Carols (“Alilo”). Byzantine liturgical hymns also incorporated the Georgian polyphonic tradition to such an extent that they became a significant expression of it. Having previously suffered the drawbacks of socialist cultural policies, traditional Georgian music is now threatened by rural exodus as well as by the increasing success of pop music. In many archives one finds recordings of polyphonic songs from the beginning of the 20th century. These recordings are, however, not secure enough to guarantee the long-term preservation.

Tickets to the performance are $15 in advance and can be purchased by texting LTVGEORGIA to 41444. The cost is $20 at the door. LTV Studios is at 75 Industrial Road in Wainscott. For more information, call 631-537-2777.