Centuries of Song with Teona Lomsadze: Series 2 Episode 7
“So I feel Voices of the Ancestors are definitely, somehow, I don't know, kept in Georgian traditional music for me, because it's, it brings me so much energetic, like emotional information and energy er encoded in this music over the centuries, which is just because of our ancestors and their voices.”
Dr Teona Lomsadze.
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This episode covers a lot of ground, both musically and emotionally. Imagine singing with your family at feasts and the local folk youth club, then Gori Women’s Choir and in church, then being a jazz soloist and leading international workshops, all the while following your academic career, researching and writing. That’s just a taste of the life of Dr Teona Lomsadze.
- Are there rules at the Supra table?
Teo walks us through her family feasts.
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- Can a woman be tamada?
Gender dynamics at the supra table
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- Is Supra a ritual?
The sacred power of wine at the supra table
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- What songs are being sung at the protests in Tbilisi?
Hear about Teo’s research into folk song and protest, and how those politics are playing out on the streets of Georgia now.
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- Can a Christmas carol be a political statement?
How the ancient ritual of alilos were revived and are being performed as an act of resistance.
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-Can you improvise a folk song?
Hear exclusive live recordings of Teo singing in Oxford University with Nana Mzhavanadze, Magda Kevlishvili and Teo’s partner Sandro Shar.
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Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson host, with guest Dr Teona Lomsadze.
Audio production by Holly Taylor-Zuntz
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Music in this episode:
Intro: ‘Makharia’, chonguri. From the Ialoni album, 'I fell in love with that sweet voice'
Underscore: Teo and friends singing ‘Jer Ar Ikneba Gvian’
‘Maspindzelsa mkhiarulsa’ sung by Teona Lomsadze, Sandro Shar and Nana Mzchavanadze. Live recording by Geoff Burton
Underscore: ‘Tsaiqvanes tamar kali’ sung by Maspindzeli
‘Me var da chemi nabadi', from Imereti sung by Aidio
‘Chona Alilo’ from Imereti sung by Odila
‘Dideba chvens shekreba’ sung by Teona Lomsadze, Sandro Shar and Nana Mzhavanadze. Live recording by Geoff Burton
‘Kirialesa’ sung by Kalta Choir
‘Nainina’ sung by Teona Lomsadze, Sandro Shar and Magda Kevlishvili. Live recording by Geoff Burton.
‘Shavlego’ sung by Mtiebi
‘Khasanbegura’ sung by Kimilia
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Links:
E-book of Women’s Role in Unesco-Recognised European Traditional Singing Practices, compiled by Teona Lomsadze:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qZaLqiVZWdOCwvG4QjT9KJ0u8lhM2v7a/view?usp=drive_link
Independent Georgian news sources in English:
oc-media.org/
www.instagram.com/formulaenglish/?hl=en
UK