Listening Notes

Georgian Polyphonic Secular Song
This is a philosophical song from Kakheti, composed by the Georgian Orthodox deacon Father Mikhail Khelashvili.

Drone: A constant pitch or pitches performed by voice or instrument. In the context of Georgian polyphony, this is usually performed in the bass.

Ostinato: A short musical pattern that is repeated throughout a performance. In the context of Georgian polyphony, this is usually performed in the bass. This style is characteristic of the round-dance songs of eastern and western Georgia.

Parallel Motion: The movement of two or musical lines in the same direction. The higher, melodic voices are built either on the principles of parallelism or polyphonic (contrapuntal) combinations.

Free polyphony: Free polyphony (or free counterpoint) is characteristic of the western plains.

In the twilight land/darkness falls

What is our life? It flies from us like a bird

One day over the ruins of our house/grass will grow

Even his life was short/who thought it would be long

Darkness devours the light/worms devour the rose

Wounds and sorrow devour the human heart

Death comes in disguise/ and in a moment disarms us

In the twilight land/darkness falls