Georgian polyphonic singing (State Ensemble)
Traditional music inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2008

Practised throughout the Caucasian region of Georgia since at least the 4th century, Georgian polyphonic singing encompasses a variety of forms — from liturgical to folk traditions — always marked by a strong sense of cultural identity.

Special thanks to Parish of Cormòns.

Kakhuri Mravalzhamieri
(Many Years of Life )
Festive banquet song from the Kakheti region.

Guruli Perkhuli
Song for a circle dance from the Guria region, featuring krimanchuli (Georgian yodeling).

Anzor Erkomaishvili (1940-)
Saidan Mokhvel Shen Kalo
(Where Have You Come From, Beautiful One? )
Love song based on a traditional folk poem, accompanied by panduri.

Namgluri
(Namgali – sickle, also known as namgluri)
Work song for the wheat harvest from the Kakheti region.

Chven Mshvidoba
(Peace Be Upon Us )
Banquet song from the Guria region, performed as a trio.

Orovela
Ploughing work song from the Kakheti region.

Odoia
(Odo – ancient god of labour, also known as Odoia)
Work song from the Samegrelo region, associated with weeding wheat fields.

Motsikuli Kristesagan Gamorcheuli
(The Apostle Chosen by Christ )
Kontakion for the Feast of Saint Nino (Enlightener of Georgia). Western Georgian tradition.

Tsmidao Ghmerto
(Holy Is the Lord)
Liturgical chant from the Eastern Georgian tradition.

Sashot Mtiebisa
(From my mother’s womb)
Festive liturgical chant for the Nativity (Introit). Western Georgian tradition.

Khasanbegura
( Khasanbegi – a man’s name, also known as Khasanbegura)
Epic and historical song from the Guria region, featuring krimanchuli (Georgian yodeling).

Gandagana
Dance song from the Adjara region, accompanied by chiboni and panduri.

Chela
(Chela – the name of an ox )
Song of a driver of ox-drawn carts from the Samegrelo region, accompanied by chonguri.

Chakrulo
Banquet and festive song from the Kakheti region. A true jewel of traditional Georgian polyphony. Considered one of the masterpieces of world culture, the song was sent into space by NASA in 1977. The literal meaning of the Georgian word chakrulo is “interwoven”. The term refers to the closely interwoven vocal lines that characterize the song.

Tamar Dedpal
(Queen Tamar )
Circle dance song from the Svaneti region. The song describes the triumphant arrival in Svaneti of Georgia’s “King Tamar” (1184–1213), the great Georgian queen who chose to bear the title of “king.” Only the people of this region refer to Tamar as a queen rather than as a king.

Shemokmedura
Work song from the village of Shemokmedi (Shemokmedura), in the Guria region. Nadi or naduri refers to a group of neighbours who help one another with work in the cornfields.

Joseph Kechakmadze (1939-2013)
Kutaisuri Serenada
(A Serenade to the City of Kutaisi )