Anzor Erkomaishvili
Anzor Erkomaishvili (10 August 1940, Batumi – 31 March 2021, Tbilisi) was a singer, choir conductor, collector of folk songs, teacher and People’s Artist of Georgia (1980).
He was born into a family of classically trained musicians. His grandfather taught him music. When he was 7, he acquired a 1st degree diploma at the State Musical Olympiad (Tbilisi). In 1969, he graduated from the faculty of choir conducting at Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire (class of V. Paliashvili), and in 1976, he completed post-graduate studies in the same university (supervisor, Sh. Aslanishvili). During the student years, he was a part of the vocalists’ ensemble “Gordela” (he was one of the initiators of its creation in 1961). Between 1969 and 1971, he worked as a musical editor at Georgian TV and radio. He was the creator and the host of a tv show “100 Georgian Folk Songs”.
In 1968, he founded the state academic ensemble "Rustavi." Erkomaishvili recorded over 300 Georgian folk songs for foreign companies between1983 and 1996. In 1978, he established a boys' folk ensemble "Martve" (since 2022, “Martve” is named after A. Erkomaishvili).
Erkomaishvili made important contributions to the collection and preservation of Georgian folk music. Since 1972, he fond over 500 recordings of Georgian folk songs in various archives around the world (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnogorsk, Riga, Tbilisi), recorded between 1907 and 1930. After their restoration, he released five records along with the relevant research.
In 1992, in the musical archive of London, he discovered 127 Georgian folk songs recorded by English companies between 1902 and 1914. Here, he also discovered the matrices (originals) of V. Sarajishvili's recordings, which made possible the restoration of the singer's original voice (in collaboration with N. Andghuladze). From 1985 to 1989, Erkomaishvili invited famous singers from various regions of Georgia and recorded over 100 Georgian folk songs for the firm "Melodia." Erkomaishvili restored, published, and introduced to future generations the art of famous singers like V. Sarajishvili, A. Inashvili, N. Kumsiashvili, A. Kavsadze, V. Simonishvili, and others.
Erkomaishvili is the author of the books "Grandfather" (1980; dedicated to the life of Artem Erkomaishvili), “Shavi Shashvi Chioda” (1989), and “Dzveli Simgherebis Kvaldakval” [On the Footsteps of Old Songs] (1979). He has provided musical arrangements for about twenty films and theatrical productions.
In 2001, with Erkomaishvili’s initiative and UNESCO’s support, the International Center for Georgian Folk Song was established. That same year, he presented Georgian folk songs to UNESCO. His name is associated with UNESCO’s recognition of Georgian folk songs as an intangible cultural heritage. Under his leadership, a part (covering years between 1901 and 1914) of the 20th century anthology (1901–2001) was prepared and published in 2006, which includes the best examples of Georgian folk songs and performing arts.
Erkomaishvili is winner of the Shota Rustaveli State Prize (1988), the State Prize of Georgia (1996), the Z. Paliashvili Prize (1981), and the I. Gogebashvili Prize (1993), as well as the Albert Schweitzer Prize (together with the "Rustavi" ensemble, 1983).
He has been awarded the Order of Honor (1998) and the Order of Excellence (2020).
Since April 8, 2021, the State Folklore Center has been named after him.
He is buried in the Mtatsminda Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures.
Literary works: ქართული ხალხური სიმღერების კრებული, თბ., 1980; ქართული ფონოჩანაწერები უცხოეთში, თბ., 2007; მივალ გურიაში, მარა, თბ., 2006; გზები, ადამიანები, სიმღერები, თბ., 2011; ქართული სიმღერის მოამაგენი – გური და ტრისტან სიხარულიძეები, თბ., 2013; პირველი ქართული ფონოჩანაწერები ბრიტანეთის ეროვნული ბიბლიოთეკის არქივებიდან, თბ., 2022; Сборник грузинских народных песен, М., 1972.
