World Routes In Georgia [World Routes]

Episodes

EpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
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01Polyphonic Drinking Songs And Choral Music2007121520090117 (R3)Since gaining independence in 1991, Georgia has been a land of political disorder, culminating in the peaceful Rose Revolution of 2003. Lucy Duran travels to this little-visited country to find out how its ancient musical traditions have fared after decades of occupation and instability.

Music recorded on location for the programme includes lively polyphonic drinking songs and the beautiful choral music of the Georgian Church.

Lucy interviews Rob Parsons, the BBC's former Moscow correspondent, about Georgia and its polyphonic music. At an outdoors dinner party at Rob Parsons country house in Kakheti, Lucy listens to the magical polyphonic acappella singing of the eight singers of Tsinandali performing traditional Georgian songs, while enjoying exquisite traditional food and wine. She also admires the beautiful scenery of the valley and the Caucasian mountains, the highest in Europe (yes, higher than the Alps - ).

Lucy Duran travels to Georgia, to discover more about its ancient musical traditions.

Programme exploring music from around the world

02Svaneti Polyphony And Guria Yodeling2007122220090124 (R3)Lucy Duran continues her musical journey through Georgia.

She travels to the highest and remotest part of Europe, Svaneti. An area of extraordinary natural beauty, it's also infamous for its banditry and war-lording, as well as being home to some of the world's oldest music. With the help of the Georgian military, the programme makes rare location recordings of these wild songs.

Presented by Lucy Duran

Produced by James Parkin

Tel. 020 7765 4661

Fax. 020 7765 4378

e-mail world.routes@BBC.co.uk

Music includes rare location recordings of the wild songs of Svaneti.

Programme exploring music from around the world