Music Ensembles
Our vocal harmonies resonate with the ancient sounds of traditional Georgia.
Zekari has become the leading Georgian choir of New York City.
The Music of our Men’s Choir
Music of Zekari is the traditional music from the country of Georgia. Our ensemble performs at a top professional level, showcasing the exciting riches of Georgian music culture. These ancient songs have developed over the past 200 years.
Georgian music is a staple of Georgian life. It is a major component of what might be called the living cultural heritage because there is a continuity of music extending back into antiquity in the lands now known as Georgia. A complex polyphony evolved at least as the Tenth Century in Georgia at a time when single part chants such as Gregorian chant were the style in Europe.
Pleasurably nuanced Performances of inherently beautiful Georgian music.
The Ensembles
Songs and music of our musical ensembles represent all traditional Georgian genres, including folk music in the various local regional styles, church songs, city songs, romances and contemporary estrada as well as songs from the Georgian classic and opera repertoire. Music is performed on traditional instruments.
Men’s Singing Group
“Zekari”
The famous singer and musician Lexo Goterdzishvili began what was then called the Dancing Crane Music Ensemble in 2000. It has since grown to include 15 professional singers.
Listen to the ensemble here
and here.
The Women’s Singing Groups
The tradition of women’s singers in Georgia is as ancient and powerful as the men’s musical tradition, but it is not well known in the United States.
The Dancing Crane Music Ensemble originally included a trio of women and although the personnel have changed over the years, we continue to have groups of women singers who present this important part of Georgian folkloric repertoire.
Georgian Women’s Trio “Magnolia”
Our women’s trio are specialists in various genres of traditional Georgian music. Favorites include the folk songs from the mountain region of Tusheti, Megrelia and Kakheti; traditional Georgian and Russian romances; and popular city songs.
Listen to the trio here.
“Melody” Duo
Our women’s duo is made up of professional singers Lali Sabanadze and Sopiko Alania. They sing traditional folk songs from Georgia.
The Georgian Theater Youth Vocal Ensemble
Our youth ensemble performs Georgian traditional songs, specially arranged for their 7-voice ensemble by master Georgian singer Tengiz Shautidze. They have worked with the Georgian musical theater class for more than 10 years and have developed a sensitivity to the music and to each other that gives not only great pleasure but a nuanced performance that adds to the inherant beauty of Georgian music.
Listen to the ensemble here.
