SUMMARY: Harmony in Georgian music

Georgia: country in Caucasia, next to Black Sea. Big part of Georgia is

mountainous (Caucasian mountain range in the highest in Europe, more that 5
km high). Myth of Golden Fleece is connected to ancient western Georgian
state Colchis. Georgia was the second country to adopt Christianity (in 337).
From 19th century became a part of Russian Empire. In 1918-1921 Georgia
became independent, and became the first country in the world, governed by
social-democratic party. Bolshevik Russia’s invasion in 1921 February. In
1921-1991 Georgia was a part of Soviet Union. From 1991 Georgia is an
independent state.

Language is Georgian. It is non-Indo-European language. It is related to some

other Caucasian languages (Chechen, Abkhazian). There are possible
connections to Basque language. Georgian language has its own script: msoflio
musikis gundi melburnis universitetidan.

Georgian polyphony is highly regarded in musicology for its richness

(UNESCO recognition in 2001). In Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, there is an
International Research Centre for Traditional Polyphony, established in 2002.

Polyphony is present in every region of Georgia. There are 15 regional styles of

polyphony. East Georgia has more drone oriented polyphony. Drone is often
pedal, sung on one vowel (usually “ooo”); There is no precise metre and rhythm
in many songs ; melodic lines are embellished; the moest prominent are table
songs (songs performed at the traditional banquets);

West Georgia has very developed contrapuntal polyphony. All the parts are
very active, including the bass part. In some songs you can hear the yodel – this
is the voice with very high falsetto sound, making big melodic jumps;
Traditional polyphony in West Georgia is based on the principle of contrast, not
imitation between different parts (as it is in J.S.Bach compositions).

Mountainous region Svaneti in North-West Georgia is the most mountainous

part of Georgia and has the best preserved singing and dancing traditions. All
the singers pronounce the song words together. There are plenty of dissonant
chords. Both men and women sing in parts and dance.

In lowland regions men and women sing separately, but in mountainous regions
they often sing and dance together.
General characteristic of traditional music: three- and four-part vocal
polyphony, with plenty of sharp dissonant intervals and wide use of the drone.
Melodic lines are always sung by soloists, bass by a group of singers. Scales are
not based on the principle of octaves like in European music; fifth in more
important than octave, so fifths are always perfect, but octaves can be
augmented.

Drone is used very often, sometimes in the lowest part (in the bass), sometimes
in the top, and sometimes in the middle of the polyphonic texture. Drone can be
pedal (on one vowel) or with text. The most popular Georgian chord is a chord,
known in European music as “suspension” (like A-D-E). Unlike Europe, in
Georgia dissonant chords can start and finish musical compositions. Georgian
chords are often a combination of two layers of pure consonance intervals
(fourth, fifth, octave), with a second between the layers.

In traditional setting songs are often performed by everyone present at the

occasion (so there is no division on “performers” and “listeners”). Traditional
compositions are usually written by several musicians, unlike in European
classical music, where usually one composer creates a whole composition.
Apart from traditional dissonant polyphony, from 19th century a more
contemporary styles, based on professional European harmony, spread in
Georgia.

For the listening test you might hear a Georgian song (from East Georgia, West
Georgia, or mountainous region Svaneti.)