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Svan Funeral Dirges (Zär): Musicological Analysis

Year 2020, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 168 - 197, 30.12.2020
https://doi.org/10.33906/musicologist.782185

Abstract

This paper is a companion paper to Scherbaum & Mzhavanadze (2020). Jointly, the papers describe the results of an interdisciplinary study on three-voiced Svan funeral dirges, known as zär in Svan and zari in Georgian. In the present paper, to which we refer as paper 2, we focus on the (structural) musicological aspects of zär. Bluntly speaking, we want to obtain a basic understanding of ‘how zärs work’. Based on the results of the acoustical analysis of a new collection of field recordings from eleven different performances described in paper 1, where we developed a phenomenological description of the general building blocks, here we try to derive a simple model for the syntaxes of zär.
The complexity of the musical structure of the zär shows a very clear connection to the history of the Svans’ settlement along the Enguri River, which is obviously systematically reflected in the Svans’ music.
Finally, we see the most interesting aspects of our entire study in the implications it has for the discourse on the historical dynamics of Georgian polyphony. Thus, the results of our study challenge the generally accepted view of the development of Georgian traditional music from monophony to polyphony.

Supporting Institution

This work was supported by the German Research Foundation within the framework of the project “Computational Analysis of Traditional Georgian Vocal Music (GVM)” (DFG MU 2686/13-1, SCHE 280/20-1).

Project Number

DFG MU 2686/13-1, SCHE 280/20-1

Thanks

First and foremost, our gratitude goes to all the people during the 2016 field expedition who allowed us to be part of and record their rituals. We are thankful to Meinard Müller and his team for the stimulating collaboration as well as for hosting the web-based repository of the GVM data.

References

  • Akhobadze, Vladimer. (1957). Kartuli (Svanuri) Khalkhuri Simgherebi [Georgian (Svan) Folk Songs]. Tbilisi: T’eknik’a da Shroma.
  • Arakishvili, Dimitri. (1950). Svanuri Khalkhuri Simgherebi [Svan Folk Songs]. Tbilisi: Khelovneba.
  • Arom, Simha; Vallejo, Pollo. (2010). “Towards a Theory of the Chord Syntax of Georgian Polyphony.” [The Fourth International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony] Eds. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 321–335. Tbilisi: International Research Center for Traditional Polyphony of Tbilisi State Conservatoire (in Georgian and English).
  • Aslanishvili, Shalva. (2010). “Forms of Multipart Singing in Georgian Folk Songs.” Echoes from Georgia: Seventeen Arguments on Georgian Polyphony, Eds. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 57–81. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
  • Aslanishvili, Shalva. (1954). Nark'vevebi Kartuli Khalkhuri Simgherebis Shesakheb [Essays on Georgian Folk Songs]. Vol. I (in Georgian). Tbilisi: Khelovneba.
  • Chkhikvadze, Grigol. (2010). “Main Types of Georgian Folk Polyphony.” Echoes from Georgia: Seventeen Arguments on Georgian Polyphony, Eds. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 97–110. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
  • Chokhonelidze, Evsevi. (2010). “Some Characteristic Features of the Voice Coordination and Harmony in Georgian Multipart Singing”. Echoes from Georgia: Seventeen Arguments on Georgian Polyphony, Eds. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 135–45. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
  • Ficker, Rudolf von. (1929). “Primäre Klangformen” [Primary forms of sound]. Jahrbuch Der Musikbibliothek Peters, Leipzig, 21–35.
  • Gabisonia, Tamaz. (2006). “Hypotheses about the Process of the Formation of Georgian Polyphonic Singing.” [The Second International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony] Eds: Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 73–78. Tbilisi: International Research Center for Traditional Polyphony of Tbilisi State Conservatoire (in Georgian and English).
  • Gabisonia, Tamaz. (2007). Kartuli t’raditsiuli mravalkhmianobis pormebi [Forms of Georgian Traditional Polyphony]. Tbilisi State Conservatoire. Retrieved from http://eprints.iliauni.edu.ge/9195/.
  • Gogotishvili, Vladimer. (1994). “Svanuri Sagundo Mravalkhmianobis Pakturuli Taviseburebebis Sak’itkhisatvis” [On the Issue of Structural Peculiarities of Svan Choral Polyphony]. Issues of Musicology. Scientific Works, Ed. Rusudan Tsurtsumia: 3–39. Tbilisi: Tbilisi State Conservatiore.
  • Javakhishvili, Ivane. (2010). “The Views and Theories of Georgian Authors.” Echoes from Georgia: Seventeen Arguments on Georgian Polyphony, Eds. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 19–34. Hauppauge, N.Y: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. http://www.novapublishers.com.
  • Jordania, Joseph. (2010). “Georgian Traditional Polyphony in Comparative Studies: History and Perspectives.” Echoes from Georgia: Seventeen Arguments on Georgian Polyphony, Ed. Tsurtsumia, Rusudan and Joseph Jordania: pp. 229–48. Hauppauge, N.Y: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. http://www.novapublishers.com.
  • Jordania, Joseph. (2006). Who Asked the First Question? The Origins of Human Choral Singing, Intelligence, Language and Speech. Ed. Matthews Grant. Logos.
  • Khardziani, Maka. (2003). “Formation of Three-Part Singing and Determination of the Type of Polyphony in Svanetian Traditional Music.” [The First International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony]. Eds Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 330–334. Tbilisi: International Research Center for Traditional Polyphony of Tbilisi State Conservatoire (in Georgian and English).
  • Kholopov, Yuri. (1985). “K probleme muzikalnogo analiza” [To the Problem of Musical Analysis, 1974]. Problemi muzikalnoi nauki [Problems of Musical Science]. 6: 130-151. Moscow: Soviet Composer.
  • Mazel, Lev Abramovich. (1960). Stroenie muzykal’nykh proizvedeniĭ [Structuring of the Music Works]. (2nd ed). Moscow: Muzika.
  • Mazel, Lev Abramovich; Zuckermann, Viktor Abramovich. (1967). Analiz muzykal’nykh proizvedeniĭ: Elementy muzyki i metodika analiza malykh form [Analysis of Musical Works: Elements of Music and a Methodology of Analysis of Small Forms]. Moscow: Muzika.
  • Mzhavanadze, Nana; Scherbaum, Frank. (2020). “Svan Funeral Dirges (Zär): Cultural context”, LaZar Database (https://lazardb.gbv.de).
  • Paliashvili, Zakaria. (1909). Kartuli Khalkhuri Simgherebis K’rebuli. Imeruli, Guruli, Rach’uli, Svanuri da Kartl-K’akhuri [Collection of Georgian folk songs: Imeretian, Gurian, Rach'an, Svan and Kartl-K’akhetian]. Tbilisi: Tpilisis Kartuli Pilarmoniuli Sazogadoeba N5.
  • Reck, David. (1977). Music of the Whole Earth. New York: Charles Scibner´s sons.
  • Scherbaum, Frank; Mzhavanadze, Nana. (2020). “Svan Funeral Dirges (Zär): Musical Acoustical Analysis of a New Collection of Field Recordings.” Musicologist. 4(2): 138-167.
  • Scherbaum, Frank; Mzhavanadze, Nana. (2018). “A New Archive of Multichannel-Multimedia Field Recordings of Traditional Georgian Singing, Praying, and Lamenting with Special Emphasis on Svaneti.” LaZAR-Database. https://Lazardb.Gbv.de/.
  • Zuckermann, Viktor Abramovich. (1970). “O nekotorykh osobykh vidakh tselostnogo analiza” [On Several Particular Kinds of Holistic Analysis]. Muzykal'no-teoreticheskie ocherki i etiudy [Musical-Theoretical Essays and Studies], 409–26. Moscow: Sovetskiĭ Kompozitor.
Year 2020, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 168 - 197, 30.12.2020
https://doi.org/10.33906/musicologist.782185

Abstract

Project Number

DFG MU 2686/13-1, SCHE 280/20-1

References

  • Akhobadze, Vladimer. (1957). Kartuli (Svanuri) Khalkhuri Simgherebi [Georgian (Svan) Folk Songs]. Tbilisi: T’eknik’a da Shroma.
  • Arakishvili, Dimitri. (1950). Svanuri Khalkhuri Simgherebi [Svan Folk Songs]. Tbilisi: Khelovneba.
  • Arom, Simha; Vallejo, Pollo. (2010). “Towards a Theory of the Chord Syntax of Georgian Polyphony.” [The Fourth International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony] Eds. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 321–335. Tbilisi: International Research Center for Traditional Polyphony of Tbilisi State Conservatoire (in Georgian and English).
  • Aslanishvili, Shalva. (2010). “Forms of Multipart Singing in Georgian Folk Songs.” Echoes from Georgia: Seventeen Arguments on Georgian Polyphony, Eds. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 57–81. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
  • Aslanishvili, Shalva. (1954). Nark'vevebi Kartuli Khalkhuri Simgherebis Shesakheb [Essays on Georgian Folk Songs]. Vol. I (in Georgian). Tbilisi: Khelovneba.
  • Chkhikvadze, Grigol. (2010). “Main Types of Georgian Folk Polyphony.” Echoes from Georgia: Seventeen Arguments on Georgian Polyphony, Eds. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 97–110. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
  • Chokhonelidze, Evsevi. (2010). “Some Characteristic Features of the Voice Coordination and Harmony in Georgian Multipart Singing”. Echoes from Georgia: Seventeen Arguments on Georgian Polyphony, Eds. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 135–45. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
  • Ficker, Rudolf von. (1929). “Primäre Klangformen” [Primary forms of sound]. Jahrbuch Der Musikbibliothek Peters, Leipzig, 21–35.
  • Gabisonia, Tamaz. (2006). “Hypotheses about the Process of the Formation of Georgian Polyphonic Singing.” [The Second International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony] Eds: Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 73–78. Tbilisi: International Research Center for Traditional Polyphony of Tbilisi State Conservatoire (in Georgian and English).
  • Gabisonia, Tamaz. (2007). Kartuli t’raditsiuli mravalkhmianobis pormebi [Forms of Georgian Traditional Polyphony]. Tbilisi State Conservatoire. Retrieved from http://eprints.iliauni.edu.ge/9195/.
  • Gogotishvili, Vladimer. (1994). “Svanuri Sagundo Mravalkhmianobis Pakturuli Taviseburebebis Sak’itkhisatvis” [On the Issue of Structural Peculiarities of Svan Choral Polyphony]. Issues of Musicology. Scientific Works, Ed. Rusudan Tsurtsumia: 3–39. Tbilisi: Tbilisi State Conservatiore.
  • Javakhishvili, Ivane. (2010). “The Views and Theories of Georgian Authors.” Echoes from Georgia: Seventeen Arguments on Georgian Polyphony, Eds. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 19–34. Hauppauge, N.Y: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. http://www.novapublishers.com.
  • Jordania, Joseph. (2010). “Georgian Traditional Polyphony in Comparative Studies: History and Perspectives.” Echoes from Georgia: Seventeen Arguments on Georgian Polyphony, Ed. Tsurtsumia, Rusudan and Joseph Jordania: pp. 229–48. Hauppauge, N.Y: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. http://www.novapublishers.com.
  • Jordania, Joseph. (2006). Who Asked the First Question? The Origins of Human Choral Singing, Intelligence, Language and Speech. Ed. Matthews Grant. Logos.
  • Khardziani, Maka. (2003). “Formation of Three-Part Singing and Determination of the Type of Polyphony in Svanetian Traditional Music.” [The First International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony]. Eds Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania: pp. 330–334. Tbilisi: International Research Center for Traditional Polyphony of Tbilisi State Conservatoire (in Georgian and English).
  • Kholopov, Yuri. (1985). “K probleme muzikalnogo analiza” [To the Problem of Musical Analysis, 1974]. Problemi muzikalnoi nauki [Problems of Musical Science]. 6: 130-151. Moscow: Soviet Composer.
  • Mazel, Lev Abramovich. (1960). Stroenie muzykal’nykh proizvedeniĭ [Structuring of the Music Works]. (2nd ed). Moscow: Muzika.
  • Mazel, Lev Abramovich; Zuckermann, Viktor Abramovich. (1967). Analiz muzykal’nykh proizvedeniĭ: Elementy muzyki i metodika analiza malykh form [Analysis of Musical Works: Elements of Music and a Methodology of Analysis of Small Forms]. Moscow: Muzika.
  • Mzhavanadze, Nana; Scherbaum, Frank. (2020). “Svan Funeral Dirges (Zär): Cultural context”, LaZar Database (https://lazardb.gbv.de).
  • Paliashvili, Zakaria. (1909). Kartuli Khalkhuri Simgherebis K’rebuli. Imeruli, Guruli, Rach’uli, Svanuri da Kartl-K’akhuri [Collection of Georgian folk songs: Imeretian, Gurian, Rach'an, Svan and Kartl-K’akhetian]. Tbilisi: Tpilisis Kartuli Pilarmoniuli Sazogadoeba N5.
  • Reck, David. (1977). Music of the Whole Earth. New York: Charles Scibner´s sons.
  • Scherbaum, Frank; Mzhavanadze, Nana. (2020). “Svan Funeral Dirges (Zär): Musical Acoustical Analysis of a New Collection of Field Recordings.” Musicologist. 4(2): 138-167.
  • Scherbaum, Frank; Mzhavanadze, Nana. (2018). “A New Archive of Multichannel-Multimedia Field Recordings of Traditional Georgian Singing, Praying, and Lamenting with Special Emphasis on Svaneti.” LaZAR-Database. https://Lazardb.Gbv.de/.
  • Zuckermann, Viktor Abramovich. (1970). “O nekotorykh osobykh vidakh tselostnogo analiza” [On Several Particular Kinds of Holistic Analysis]. Muzykal'no-teoreticheskie ocherki i etiudy [Musical-Theoretical Essays and Studies], 409–26. Moscow: Sovetskiĭ Kompozitor.
There are 24 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Music
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Nana Mzhavanadze 0000-0001-5726-1656

Frank Scherbaum 0000-0002-5050-7331

Project Number DFG MU 2686/13-1, SCHE 280/20-1
Publication Date December 30, 2020
Published in Issue Year 2020 Volume: 4 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Mzhavanadze, N., & Scherbaum, F. (2020). Svan Funeral Dirges (Zär): Musicological Analysis. Musicologist, 4(2), 168-197. https://doi.org/10.33906/musicologist.782185