The Georgian folk song choir called "Georgian Voices" was founded in spring of 1986. The repertoire of the choir is composed of Georgian folk songs, ritual songs, canticles of mediaeval times and some of the song by the Georgian composers if they are based on the Georgian traditional melodies and thus deserve attention of the choir. The Georgian folk songs being very interesting, by themselves and the "Georgian Voices" performing them with their original purity became very popular in a very short time.
Singers of the choir
Now there are ten singers in the choir. The names of voices which are necessary for the Georgian traditional singing do not coincide with the European names. But if we try to put them within the accepted European norm, the 10 voices could be distributed like this:
1. First tenor - David Abesadze
2. First tenor - Zaur Bolkvadze
3. First tenor - Givi Chichinadze
4. Second tenor - Malkhaz Talakvadze
5. Second tenor - Guram Tamazashvili
6. Baritone - Temur Chkuaseli
7. Baritone - Zurab Loladze
8. Bass - Gia Chirakadze
9. Bass - David Gogiashvili
10. Bass - Robert Gogolashvili
Among the 10 singers three of them - Temur Chkuaseli, David Abesadze and Zaur Bolkvadze sing a very specific voices called "Krimanchuli". "Krimanchuli" is necessary to perform Georgian extremely polyphony songs. Within 10 years "Georgian Voices" have performed in the folloving countries: Germany, France, Netherlands, UK, Spain, Belgium, Scotland, Luxembourg, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Seychelles Islands, Russia and others.
In some well-known halls "Georgian Voices" achieved great success: Duisburg - Mercator Hall (Germany), Paris - UNESCO (France), Vishi - Opera Theatre (France), Perth - The Royal Theatre (Australia), Adelaide - Conservatoire Hall (Australia), Wellington - Town Hall (New Zealand), London - St. Martin Church on Trafalgar Square (UK), Paris - Sal Gavo, Ludwigsburg - City Theatre (Germany), Luxembourg - City Theatre (Luxembourg), Cannes - cathedral (France), Nante - Cathedral (France), Sankt-Petersburg - Concert Hall "Oktiabrskaya" (Russia), Calvi - Cathedral (Corsica), Moscow - Concert Hall "Rossia" (Russia).
The choir has participated in the concert with pop-stars such as Jimmy Smith and Billy Joel. It was in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. One of the Billy Joel's records begins with a song by the "Georgian Voices". The choir is taking part in the French film, which is co-produced by Cadrage Films/France 2. Director - Pascal Aubier. In 1998 at the request of the German television, a 25 minutes film was filmed by "Drefa" production the title of which is "Georgian Voices". "Georgian Voices" have recorded one album with 25 songs. The album was recorded in Moscow. The group also recorded 3 CD's different times - one was recorded in Paris, the rest two in Prague. One the CD's is inserted into "Telerame Bulletin" (France, 1995 November). The Best 900 estimated FFF. In 1996 all the members of the group were awarded by the Georgian State premium.
