Ensemble Basiani

The sublime voices of Georgia’s Ensemble Basiani sing a transporting program highlighting the rich polyphonic music tradition of their homeland in the Caucasus. The diversity of Georgian vocal music is staggering, the style and character varying from region to region and mirroring aspects of daily life—music for prayer, work, healing, love, play. “Georgians do that,” explains director Zurab Tskrialashvili. “They just sing when working, traveling, in war, singing lullabies to babies.” Clad in traditional tunics and boots, the men of Basiani balance densely layered polyphony with rousing work songs, lively circle dances, and stirring table songs—and the unforgettable sound of krimanchuli, Georgian yodeling.