On Friday evening, November
4, the Society of St. Romanos hosted the Anchiskhati Ensemble which performed
at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, Illinois. The first
part of the program, consisting of sacred music, was held in the church
proper. The audience then moved to the church hall for the intermission
and the opportunity to purchase CDs and handmade Georgian craft items.
The second half of the program, performed in the parish hall, included
folk music, love songs, and travel music—which was usually addressed
to the oxen pulling the cart.
A narrator explained each piece for both parts of
the program, translating some of the text and illuminating the intricacies
and difficulties of the music. He also recounted the mission of the
ensemble, their work and efforts to sustain an ancient musical tradition
in an authentic way. They used old recordings as well as instruction
from older singers who previously carried on the traditions; now they
are the living embodiment of those traditions and teachers of a new
group of Georgian singers.
The choir is the leading exponent of Georgian polyphonic
choral music, specializing in singing ancient Georgian sacred and secular
songs with authentic instrumental accompaniment described by one critic
as “diamonds polished by time.” Singing weekly in the famous
6th century Anchiskhati Church in Tbilisi, Georgia, the choir collaborates
as a group of expert ethno-musicologists who teach, hold workshops
and regularly perform in Georgia and abroad.
Almost 150 people attended the concert and were enthralled
with the performance. It was a very appreciative audience that obviously
had a degree of musical knowledge and sophistication. The success of
this venture is prompting the Society to sponsor more groups of this
kind in the future.
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