Favorite Georgian songs

[sonia]

Like with the favorite Eastern European songs, it's hard to pick favorites, but here are some Georgian recordings I really like.

First, some of my favorite singing friends up in Seattle. There are a lot of shared singers between Seattle's Georgian choir onefourfive, and the Balkan choir Dunava. Here's Dunava singing and dancing a Georgian song, Tamar Dedpal, from upper Svaneti.

Watch on Vimeo

Gogov Gogov Shavtvala sung by Georgia's premier folk ensemble Rustavi, with soloist Hamlet Gonashvili.

"Georgian Folk Song Gogov Shavtvalav by Hamlet Gonashvili" (Watch on YouTube)

Heyamoli sung by Tutarchela, soloist Tamar Buadze. They focus on songs from the Laz ethnic group living in Georgia and Turkey.

"Tutarchela "Heyamoli" (mit Bildern von Jasra)" (Watch on YouTube)

Shen Khar Venakhi, sung by Rustavi

"Rustavi choir Shen Khar Venakhi directed by Sandro Vakhtangov.wmv" (Watch on YouTube)

Guruli Alilo (Alleluia from Guria, a region of Georgia), sung by Rustavi.

"Alilo (Guria)" (Watch on YouTube)

Rachuli Alilo (Alleluia from Racha, another region of Georgia) sung by American group Kitka

"Alilo" (Watch on YouTube)

Did you respond strongly to any of these? Do you have your own Georgian favorites? Please share in comments!

Comments

[to_do_list]

I don’t really have any opportunity to listen to those soon, but I was amazed that you know about Georgian music. Interestingly, although my grandmother lived in Georgia and continues to cook Georgian food, so I always felt a connection to the country, I was never introduced to its music! I am bookmarking this for later so I could explore those songs.

[sonia]

Thanks for dropping by! I hope you enjoy the music when you get a chance to listen to it.

My dad collected folk music LPs, and we had a Rustavi album, so I got exposed as a kid. I went to a Village Harmony singing workshop in 2008 for the Bulgarian teacher Dessi Stefanova, and Frank Kane was also there teaching Georgian singing. I've been learning more ever since.