Not the state -- the band from the Eastern European country of the same name. "Discover Georgian Culture Through Music," a concert of traditional polyphonic singing and folk music, will be performed by the band Georgia at LTV Studios in Wainscott on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Georgian polyphonic singing was added in 2008 to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, whose mission is to ensure protection of cultural heritages and awareness of their significance. It is widely accepted in contemporary musicology that vocal polyphony in Georgian music predates the introduction of Christianity in that country.
There are three types of polyphony in Georgia: complex polyphony, which is common in its northwest regions; polyphonic dialogue over a bass background, prevalent in the Kakheti region in eastern Georgia; and contrasted polyphony with three partially improvised sung parts, characteristic of western Georgia.
The songs traditionally pervaded all areas of everyday life, ranging from work in the fields to songs for the curing of illnesses to Christmas carols, according to the UNESCO website. Byzantine liturgical hymns were also incorporated the Georgian polyphonic tradition, to such an extent that they became a significant expression of it.
Traditional Georgian music is now threatened by rural exodus, as well as by the increasing success of pop music. In many archives there are recordings of polyphonic songs from the beginning of the 20th century; these recordings are, however, not secure enough to guarantee their long-term preservation.
Wine samplings and typical Georgian snack-food will be available. Doors will open at 5:30; the concert will begin at 6. Tickets, which are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, can be purchased by texting LTVGEORGIA to 41444.
