MZETAMZE: Women's songs from the Caucasus
WOMEN’S SONGS from the CAUCASUS
a musical experience
by
MZETAMZE
an all women’s ensemble from
Tbilisi, Georgia
WORKSHOP
2:30 – 5:30 pm Sunday 9th Nov 2008
St Paul’s Church, Hill’s Road CB2 1JP
price £12, £10 concession
CONCERT
8:00 pm Sunday 9th Nov 2008
St Edward King and Martyr Church,
Peas Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PP
(behind Guildhall, Market Square)
Price: £10 at door, £9 in advance £8 concession
Tickets Ashlyn: tel: 01223 353586
email: ashlyn.armour-brown@ntlworld.com
Under the auspices of Talking in Tune
MZETAMZE ENSEMBLE
This talented group of singers from Georgia presents women’s songs from their homeland in the Caucasus. As well as lullabies for one to three voices we find songs which have a magical effect on the weather, healing songs for infectious diseases and songs associated with religious customs; songs which were sung whilst carrying out work traditionally done by women, such as the production and processing of wool or calming the cows during milking. The laments, which are still common in many parts of Georgia, are particularly impressive. There are also comical songs and songs to accompany dancing.
Mzetamze means "sun of suns," a mythological name with female origins. For Mzetamze members the sun symbolizes the inherent self-confidence of Georgian women and a new approach to their traditional music. (note that the sun is female and the moon masculine in Georgian mythology).
In 1986, 6 women ethno-musicologists from the Tbilisi conservatory - Ketevan Baiashvili, Nino Shvelidze, Ketevan Nikoladze, Nato Zumbadze, Nino Makharadze and Nana Valishvili - joined together to form an ensemble dedicated to singing the musical traditions of Georgian women. Often their songs are ones that they have learnt and recorded themselves from the rich, oral musical tradition still to be heard in the Georgian countryside. Today you have the opportunity to hear them.
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