TCHETCHENIE
ZOURA
ENSEMBLE AZNACH
Was
it contact with the Khevsur, then the Tushin of Georgia, that gave rise
to polyphonic accompaniment in this very unusual tradition? Be that as
it may, there is a whole repertoire of ‘highland music’ in
this tradition that differs from the more recent repertoire of Grozny.
The Aznach (‘Voice’) Ensemble is a group of variable size.
Its members are Chechen singers and dancers from the Pankissi valley.
Formed in 1995, the ensemble takes part in many festivals in Georgia;
in 1996 it gave a concert tour in Turkey, and in 2000 it was in France
and Geneva, where this music was recorded. The ensemble chose the name
Aznach because of the importance of the voice in the Chechen culture,
but also because of the vocal strength that is required for this music,
which is intended for performance in the open air.
The ensemble's present director is Bela Chavkhelichvili, a researcher
at the Institute of Linguistics (Georgian Academy of Science) and the
granddaughter of the founder of the school at Duissi, the largest village
in the Pankissi valley: the school has played an important part in perpetuating
the dual culture (Chechen and Georgian). All the
singers on this recording are housewives from the Pankissi valley:
Manana Alkhanachvili, Lia Atchichvili, Darédjane Margochvili, Lia
Margochvili and Nato Moutochvili.
ENSEMBLE AZNACH : Lia Atchichvili - Lia Margochvili - Nato Moutochvili - Manana Alkhnachvili - Darédjane Margochvili (voix, garmon, mandalina, percussions).
Other Artists : Ensemble Kaboul, Soungalo Coulibaly, Lucy Acevedo, Xhemali Berisha, Junko Ueda, Nelson Rojas, José de la Negreta, Parvathy Baul, Marina Pittau. NEWS : Prem Kishor, Maciré Sylla
Other Discs : Nastaran, Dengo, Négra, Hapi Syté, Satsuma-Biwa, Bulenga, Sueno Gitano, Radha Bhava, Raighinas
New release : Varanasie Ras,Sarefi