This CD is a wonderful document of Darbazi, one of Toronto’s many distinctive choirs. Darbazi has been focusing on the traditional polyphonic vocal music from the country of Georgia for the last fifteen years, developing their knowledge through travels and exchanges. Vakhatanguri presents a strong survey of “table songs,” a type of toast, and other folk songs from the country.
The liner notes define Vakhatanguri as an expression that “reflects the interlocking of arms” and “the dearness of close friendship.” As such, it is a perfect expression for this music—the music of comfort and welcome. Mostly a capella, these nineteen songs feature the ten members in beautiful and stunning harmony. The majority of choristers are male, so the sound has a rich, deep bass that moves together and encloses the tenor or alto soloists in a warm fullness.
It is clear when listening to this album what careful attention the choir pays to the fidelity of sound and to the cultural traditions of the music they are interpreting. That the majority of the choir is not Georgian speaks again to that sense of welcoming that comes out in this beautiful music.
Chris Kennedy is an independent filmmaker, film programmer and writer based out of Toronto. He has programmed for the Images Festival, the Pleasure Dome screening collective, the Free Screen at TIFF Bell Lightbox and he co-founded the Early Monthly Segments film salon. His short experimental films have screened at over one hundred film festivals. He holds an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. More information on his work is available at www.theworldviewed.com