The first recordings in the Georgian Republic. Alaverdi 1909

The first recordings in the Georgian Republic
Choir of Guria province, Samuel Chavleishvili, director. alaverdi, recorded 1909 (Gramophone C-14746, matrix #10088L; 03:02)
14. A1averdi [Mosalkheni] (Festivity)

"Alaverdi" is the word used by the toastmaser at a banquet when he passes the toast to another person at the table who will elaborate and extend the sentiments of the toast in his own words. A table song with a patriotic text, this toasts the homeland, wishing future happiness and prosperity. The song is also commonly known as "Mosalkeheni."
Choir of Guria province

Samuel Chavleishvili (1857-1932), director Tracks 2,11-14

At the end of the 19th century, there were many good folk choirs in Georgia's western province of Guria. Among them, one of the most popular was that of Samuel Chavleishvili. All of the songs recorded by his choir demonstrate the highest level of performance and virtuosity. Samuel Chavleishvili was born in Okroskedi, a small village in the region of Ozurgeti, Guria province. He learned folk songs from Samuel Maksimelishvili, a well-known Gurian choirmaster, and studied liturgical chant under Dato Guganava. Samuel had an unusual first-tenor voice, vivid and somewhat raspy, yet all who heard him sing recognized him as a master. He was exceptionally skilled at improvisation, and often created his own unique song variants for all three voice parts, many of which are emulated to this day by Gurian choirs. Because of this, he was known as the "Nightingale of Guria."

The members of his choir were:

Aleksandre Makharadze (1873-1933), krimanchuli (yodel) Besarion Intskirveli (1850-1939), modzakhili (second voice) Samuel Chkhikvishvili (1874-1969), first voice
Ilarion Chavleishvili (1857-1937), bass,•
Ladiko Dolidze (1858-1921), bass
Varlam Simonishvili (1884-1950), bass

Видео The first recordings in the Georgian Republic. Alaverdi 1909 канала levan meskhi