Reflecting the family structure of the traditional society and the great significance of the collective-tribal beginning, the Abkhazian songs are chiefly in many voices, at that in the thick choral vertical chords several strata of sound could be discerned. These could include the freely pouring-out solo voice, adding itself to astringent chords, or an ostinato bourdon-type voice, or a “dialogue” of the female and male voices. However, there is a predomination of male polyphony. The earliest genres of female singing were considered to be lullabies and funereal songs, although lately there are more frequent appearances of female groups, such as the female ensemble “Gunda,” which perform mostly dance and humorous melodies. Abkhazia’s fame for the longevity of its inhabitants, as well as its tradition of venerating elders, preserved throughout the centuries, is personified by the famous ethnographic chorus “Nartaa” (established in 1948). Among its members there is a notable absence of participants younger than 70 years old; however, the ensemble with its extensive program of ritual, heroic, humorous and drinking songs has toured in numerous countries of the world, having won a whole lot of authoritative vocal tournaments.
No less well-known is the Abkhazian State Folk Song Ensemble. Established in 1931 as the main ethnographic chorus in Abkhazia, the ensemble was subsequently enhanced by a wonderful dance group and obtained the status of the Abkhazian State Honorary Ensemble of Folk Song and Dance.
The ensemble is directed by People’s Artist of the Republic of Abkhazia, graduate of the Gnessins’ Pedagogical Music Institute, Vassily Tsargush. Abkhazia is noted for its entire “singing families,” the vocal art of one of them, the Ferzba family from the village Kutol of the Achamchir region of Abkhazia is presented on the present compact disc.
The duty before one’s forebears, man’s honor and fidelity to his word, solidarity of warriors and brotherly friendship was esteemed by the Abkhazians among the highest spiritual values. Many epic lays and folk legends live through the centuries, among them the “Akhra ashva”, the “Lay of the Cliff,” which recounts about how a youth, after having thrown off his brother from a cliff in vehemence, jumps in a chasm himself, wrapping himself into a felt cloak.
Quite distinctive are the Abkhazian musical instruments: the straight flute made of umbrelliferous plants, the acharpyn, which allows with the aid of the human voice to evoke a low bourdon voice along with the descant voice, which is soft and plaintive; the apkhertsa, which is a bowed instrument, hollowed from wood of an intricate form resembling a spindle with two strings made of gut, the ayumaa – an angular harp, as well as numerous percussion instruments.