When Classic Meets Jazz, Georgian Trio at Konzerthaus Berlin
On August 29, the concert of the world-acclaimed Georgian musicians Giorgi Mikadze, pianist and composer; Lizi Ramishvili, young and distinguished virtuoso cellist; and Ensemble ‘Basiani’ Trio, will take place at the Konzerthaus Berlin under the aegis of the Georgia-German Year. They will perform the project ‘Georgian Overtones’ exclusively, led by Giorgi Mikadze, at the international Music festival ‘Young Euro Classic,’ a prestigious world occasion. The honorary presenter of the project is Nils Landgren, legendary Swedish trombonist, singer and producer.
The project ‘Georgian Overtones’ is being held within the scope of events organized to celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Germany and Georgia. It is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia. The organizer is the Embassy of Georgia to the Federal Republic of Germany. Within the framework of the project, some musical artworks of Georgian folk, as well as some of Giorgi Mikadze’s authorized compositions, will be performed.
The joint concert of successful Georgian and German musicians will be transmitted live on famous cultural French-German TV channel ARTE (concert.arte.tv/young-euro-classic).
“It is a great honor for me to be taking part in such an important event as the Georgia-German Year. We have been actively preparing for this concert for the several last months,” Mikadze, Project Musical Director, told GEORGIA TODAY. “For the program, I created my new project ‘Georgian Overtones’ for Berlin especially. We can say that the interpreted form of Georgian music will make the whole soiree of Konzerthaus Berlin. The band is staffed with marvelously talented Georgian and German musicians. First of all, let me mention Nils Landgren, Artistic Director of ‘Classic Meets Jazz’, as well as virtuoso Georgian cellist Lizi Ramishvili and ensemble ‘Basiani’ Trio, with which I’m doing the second project after ‘Voisa’. I hope this project will be as successful as the latter”.
“All of us are feeling very positive,” said Ramishvili, (cello). “When Giorgi suggested I participate in his new project, it was a very pleasant surprise for me which I gladly accepted. The project ‘Georgian Overtones’ is very interesting in essence, to represent the name of Georgia at one of the most significant European centers”.
The ensemble ‘Basiani’ will be represented by Sergo Urushadze (Oberstimme), Paata Tsetskhladze (Mittelstimme) and Zurab Tskrialashvili (Bassstimme), who will perform together with Bjorn Atle Anfinsen, (Trumpet), Ellen Andrea Wang, (double bass) and Eva Klesse (drums).
“The musical relationship between Giorgi Mikadze and our ensemble started in 2016, when we jointly realized the project ‘Voisa’ in New York,” said Zurab Tskrialashvili, Director of Ensemble ‘Basiani’, remembered. “Our friendship itself counts several years. We used to study together at the Tbilisi State Conservatory- he in the Piano Faculty and I in the Choir Department. It was Giorgi’s idea to unite Georgian folklore with contemporary genres, which he then shared with me and Giorgi Donadze, Head of the Ensemble. Obviously, we immediately took an interest in this thrilling experiment. In this way, the project ‘Voisa’ was created. As for the project ‘Georgian Overtones,’ here we participate just as a trio. It’s a great honor to be taking part in the ‘Young Euro Classics’ festival and we hope that our performance will be a success”.
Maka Lomadze