Part Four: Georgia

Quick facts from the CIA World Handbook

Population: 4,934,413 (July 2003 est.)
Capital: T'bilisi
Ethnic Groups: Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%
Religions: Georgian Orthodox 65%, Muslim 11%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6%
Languages: Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

I'm afraid I don't know much about the Republic of Georgia, save from what I've learned in the news over the past year (the "revolution" that led to the former president's resignation). I do know that Stalin was from Georgia, as was the wonderful filmmaker Sergei Parajanov. Also, I remember some breakfast cereal commercials from the 70s that claimed life expectancy in certain areas of Georgia was the highest in the world (all due to Corn Flakes, no doubt). Oh, I also know that this is a predominantly Christian country that is, like Armenia, surrounded by Moslem countries (though its direct border with Russia means that the country is a little harder to attack than Armenia is).

As for Georgian music, I'm afraid I know very little. Lonely Planet's cultural overview of Georgia doesn't mention music at all; it's all about food and drink. So, if Georgians like to party, then I'm guessing they also like to sing. Unfortunately, I've heard very little of Georgia's music.

The only information I can find on the web about Georgian music was at the most unlikely of sources: the Georgian Parliament's web page, which provides the following information about Georgian music: "Georgian folk music, featuring complex, three-part, polyphonic harmonies, has long been a subject of special interest among musicologists. Most Georgian folk songs are peculiar to individual regions of Georgia. The inspiration is most often the church, work in the fields, or special occasions. The Rustavi Choir, formed in 1968, is the best known Georgian group performing a traditional repertoire." From what I can learn on this web site, Georgian music seems predominantly vocal, though I'm sure there are lots of different instruments used as well. The Georgian Parliament site includes more information about the Rustavi Choir and other Georgian artists, if you're interested.

In other words, Georgian music seems predominantly vocal. Deep Down Productions has released a number of Georgian CDs, including one of Medieval choral music, one of modern choral music, and one of traditional Georgian folk music (performed by a group of Georgian-Canadians). Interestingly enough, only the CD by the Canadian group features instrumentation, and even these instruments are downplayed in the description of the album in favor of a detailed analysis of Georgian polyphonic vocal techniques.

Now, I've heard Armenian polyphonic vocal music, and it is absolutely mesmerizing. It's similar to a lot of Gregorian chants, except that, as the word "polyphony" suggests, there is more than one melodic line going at any given time. Deep Down Productions have written a nice little explanation of this style; you can read about it here.

This is from the same Georgian Parliament site mentioned above. It's described only as "The Temple of Folk Music." I'm afraid I don't know what that means, but it certainly is beautiful. Notice the icons in the background; I'm guessing Georgian Orthodox culture is closer to Russian Orthodox than Armenian Orthodox is (and if none of this makes sense to you, don't worry; it doesn't make much sense to me, either).

This isn't musical, but it's beautiful. It's a picture of the ruins of Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi, and I got the picture from Lonely Planet.

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