Maspindzeli

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Upcoming Events

To be announced.

Past Events

Extraordinary Voices - Late at Tate Britain

Friday 4 December 2009, 6-10pm, free admission

Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG. (map)

Late at Tate Britain threw open the galleries for an evening celebration of the voice, featuring Maspindzeli and many other artists, including:
London Bulgarian Choir, Phil Minton's Feral Choir, Adey Grummet and Kayte Harding of The Shout, Afrogroov, Funk Chorus, Geoff Fazan, Mikhail Karikis.
Curated by Home Live Arts.

Tenth Anniversary Concert

Saturday 10 October 2009, 7:30pm

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ. (map)

We celebrated our tenth year of singing evocative songs from the Caucasus.

Saint Mamai (drawn by Miranda Gray) riding in the dome of Kumurdo Cathedral

Saint Mamai (drawn by Miranda Gray) riding in the dome of Kumurdo Cathedral

Hear My Song — a festival of choral music

Friday 19 June 2009, 7:30pm

St Yeghiche's Armenian Church, 13b Cranley Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 3BB. (map)

Performances by three choirs: the Choir of St Yeghiche, singing music by Komitas and other Armenian composers;
Maspindzeli Choir, singing sacred and ritual songs from the polyphonic tradition of Georgia;
and the Choir of St Barnabus Dulwich, whose programme featured a new work by young Armenian composer Tigran Grigoryan.

This event was organised by the Armenian Institute, who also provide a more detailed Concert programme.

Chveneburebi Festival of Georgian Folkdance and Song

Wednesday 27 May 2009, 7:30pm

Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT.

For the first time in the UK, the Shavnabada men's choir, and amazing dancers from Tamaz Gogotishvili's dance group Shejibri, both from Tbilisi.
We also sang, along with other choirs from Leeds, Bristol and London.

Shavnabada Choir

A Year in Georgian Song

Saturday 14 March 2009, 7:30pm

St Saviour's Church, Eton Rd, Camden, London NW3 4SU. (map)

Trailing the seasons from the green shoots of spring, through summer's solstice, the autumn harvest and winter wassailing, this performance evoked the ancient sounds of Georgia.

Here's a sample of the concert, featuring the group Tabuni and some wonderful guest Georgians.

Christmas Party

Saturday 13 December 2008, 6-10pm

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ. (map)

Georgia Comes to the Village!

Saturday 22 November 2008, 8pm

St Mary's Church, Church Hill, Walthamstow E17 9RJ. (map)

A concert focusing on songs by small groups.
Also a song workshop, 5pm-6:30pm.

Photo Exhibition of Georgian Manuscripts

Monday 17 November 2008

Georgian Embassy, 4 Russell Gardens, London W14 8EZ.

The choir sang at this event.

Song and Supra

Sunday 16 November 2008, 6:30pm

The Battersea Barge, Tideway Walk, Nine Elms Lane, Vauxhall, London SW8 5BP. (map)

A Georgian cultural experience, including performance by a small group of Maspindzeli members.
Funds raised will go to aid for Georgian refugees in Tbilisi (50%), rebuilding of Gori university/library (25%) and the Teatri Tskhoveli theatre project (25%).

Fourth International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony

Monday 15 - Friday 19 September 2008

Tbilisi, Georgia.

Sing for Peace in Georgia

Saturday 6 September 2008, 7pm, admission free

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ. (map)

A concert of Georgian songs led by Maspindzeli, and joined by other choirs.

Admission free with a collection to help those affected by the crisis in Georgia.

Sing for Peace in Georgia

Wednesday 20 August 2008

Trafalgar Square, London.

We joined with choirs throughout the world to sing for peace in Georgia.

St Paul's Church Centre, Cambridge

Sunday 17 August 2008

St Pauls' Church Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1JP. (map)

This concert was in preparation for a planned performance in Tbilisi in September by members of Maspindzeli.

We sang whilst thinking of our Georgian friends both here and in Georgia, currently in the news for desperately sad reasons.

Bristol Harbour Festival

Sunday 3 August 2008

We performed three sets:

11:00 on the Ampitheatre Stage, Bristol Harbour;

13:45 on the Cascade Steps Stage, Bristol Harbour;

16:30 at the Georgia café/marquee, Queen Square, Bristol Harbour.

Choral Sundays

Sunday 13 July 2008

Foyer Bar, Level 2, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX.

We performed a one hour concert as part of the Choral Sundays series.

Sing the Difference Concert and Workshops

Sunday 6 July 2008

Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ.

Singing Workshops: included one by our Musical Director, Lucy Gibson - more details...

Concert: with Raise the Roof Singers, the Dessibelles and Maspindzeli - more details...

Sing London Logo

Opening Voices

Sunday 11 May 2008, 5:30pm

Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX.

Maspindzeli sang a 10-15 minute set as part of this multi-choir event.

Christmas Concert and Party

Saturday 15 December 2007

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ.

The event included the first solo UK exhibition of the prominent Georgian artist Levan Margiani.

Levan Margiani : 'Cristmas' - detail

BBC Christmas Fair

Wednesday 5 December 2007

BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ.

Summer Concert

Saturday 21 July 2007, 7:30pm
Chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge

We sang to raise money for the charity SOS Children's Villages, who have two villages in Georgia - one in Tbilisi and one in Kutaisi.

poster for Cambridge concert - click for high resolution image

Singing River

Friday and Saturday, 8 and 9 June 2007, sunset

Maspindzeli and five other London choirs sang while sailing up the Thames on a barge, from Tower Bridge to the Royal Festival Hall, ending with a piece composed by Orlando Gough, as part of the reopening celebrations for the Royal Festival Hall. Watch highlights on YouTube and read a review in the Independent. On the Friday, we also had a short performance to open the fourth floor Green Bar.

Georgian Independence Day

Monday 21 May 2007, 7:30pm

Short performance as part of celebrations at the Churchill Hotel, 30 Portman Square, London W1H 7BH.

St Hilda's College, Oxford

Sunday 29 April 2007, 7pm

This concert, at the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building, also included performances from pioneering UK folk guitarist Davy Graham, oud player and Arabic singer Tarik Beshir, guitarist Ben Ulph and leading khomus (Russian jews harp) player Shishigin Spiridon Spiridonovich.

Georgian Church Service

Saturday 21 April 2007, 10am

Maspindzeli sang for the Georgian Orthodox service at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 60 Godolphin Road, London W12 8JW.

Members of Maspindzeli present:
Songs of the Caucasus – Vocal music from Georgia

Saturday 3 March 2007, 7:30pm

St Mary's Old Church, Stoke Newington Church Street N16 9ES.

Christmas Concert and Party

Saturday 16 December 2006, 6pm

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ.

Third International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony

Monday 25 Sep 2006 - Friday 29 Sep 2006

The choir performed in Tbilisi, Georgia at the third symposium, and travelled to other parts of Georgia in the subsequent week.

Members of Maspindzeli - Small Groups Concert

Saturday 26 August 2006, 7:30pm

St Mary's Old Church, Stoke Newington Church Street N16 9ES.

Jubilee Gardens, Ely

Saturday 12 August 2006, 3pm

Performance at Jubilee Gardens, Ely.

Exhibition Road, South Kensington

Friday 11 August 2006

Performed for the Priceless project launch, outside the South Kensington museums and in the Underground foot tunnel.

Shouting Gallery

Friday 12 May 2006

National Portrait Gallery, London.

We sang and promenaded through the galleries, as part of this 150th anniversary event, involving The Shout and five other choirs, directed by Orlando Gough.

St Ethelburga's, Bishopsgate

Friday 21 April 2006

A shared bill with duduk player Tigran Aleksanyan.

Christmas Concert and Party

Saturday 10 December 2005

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

St Nicolas Church, Abingdon

Sunday 27 November 2005

Concert in aid of Georgian charities.

Jesus College Chapel, Oxford

Saturday 26 November 2005

Concert in aid of Friends of Academic Research in Georgia.

Georgian Embassy

Wednesday 23 November 2005

Reception to celebrate St George's Day and the 2nd anniversary of the Rose Revolution.

Ely Cathedral

Saturday 23 July 2005

Concert with Chela, in the Lady Chapel, followed by a performance at the Bandstand in Jubilee Gardens, Ely.

Venice's Boat Trip

Sunday 22 May 2005

A boat party on the Thames, in memory of Venice Manley.

St Andrew's Church, Letcombe Regis

Saturday 26 February 2005

Concert, followed by some social mixing with parishioners.

Christmas Concert and Party

Saturday 18 December 2004

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

Mehryar and Anne's wedding

Saturday 16 October 2004

Downing College, Cambridge.

Ureki, Guria

Tuesday 28 September 2004

Open air concert, with many other groups, of the First international Festival of Georgian Polyphony "Chven-Mshvidoba".

Town Theatre, Ozurgeti, Guria

Tuesday 28 September 2004

Concert with many other groups.

Great Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Monday 27 September 2004

Gala concert, with many other groups, of the Second International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Small Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Monday 27 September 2004

Afternoon concert with Lardo, Schola Cantorum Brabantiae and Zari, as part of the Second International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Marasong for Water Aid

Sunday 19 September 2004

Small performance alongside the South Bank, as part of the Sing For Water event.

Venice Manley's Funeral

Thursday 16 September 2004

Hendon Cemetery, Holders Hill Road, followed by a gathering at Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill.

Venice Manley passed away

Tuesday 31 August 2004 at 3:30 pm

Our director Venice Manley died peacefully.

Vinopolis

Tuesday 13 July 2004

Singing for Michael Saakashvili (president of Georgia).

Georgian School, Latymer Road

Saturday 3 July 2004

Performance at a party for the Georgian School at the Latymer Christian Centre, Bramley Road.

Summer Concert

Saturday 12 June 2004

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

Featured the premier of Anis Edzaxian, a new work especially written by Sally J Davies for the choir, joined by members of the Paragon Saxophone Quartet and Numan Elyer on Turkish percussion.

Frankie and Trevor's Wedding Reception

Saturday 8 May 2004

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

St Andrew's Church, Letcombe Regis

Saturday 6 March 2004

Short concert, as part of the second Ridgeway Residential weekend.

Christmas Supra

Saturday 20 December 2003

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

Winter Concert

Saturday 29 November 2003

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

Read a review in the Independent. This was the last concert led by Venice Manley.

The Big Sing Thing

Saturday 4 October 2003

Royal Festival Hall, South Bank. A multi choir event directed by Orlando Gough.

Sing For Water

Sunday 14 September 2003

South Bank. Massed choirs, directed by Helen Chadwick, sing to raise money for Water Aid.

St Matthias Church, Stoke Newington

Friday 20 June 2003

Concert with various local groups.

First Ridgeway Residential Weekend

Friday 21 February 2003 to Sunday 23 February 2003

Christmas Concert

Saturday 14 December 2002

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone, with Bow and Bellows and the London Bulgarian Choir.

Great Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Tuesday 8 October 2002

Gala Concert of the First International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Great Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Friday 4 October 2002

Concert of Foreign Ensembles, as part of the First International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Small Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Friday 4 October 2002

Concert with Biti Dobre, as part of the First International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Sing For Water

Sunday 15 September 2002

South Bank. First annual event in which massed choirs, directed by Helen Chadwick, sing to raise money for Water Aid.

St Pancras Old Church

Sunday 23 June 2002

Concert with Bow and Bellows.

Russian Orthodox Church, Ennismore Gardens, Kensington

Sunday 9 December 2001

Concert with the London Bulgarian Choir. Followed by a reception at the Georgian Embassy.

Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews

Tuesday 4 December 2001

Performance as Part of "Georgian Week 2001".

Russian Orthodox Church, Ennismore Gardens, Kensington

Thursday 27 September 2001

Songs at a memorial service.

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone

Saturday 9 June 2001

Concert with the London Bulgarian Choir.

St Mary's, Paddington Green

Friday 8 June 2001

Concert with the London Bulgarian Choir.

Because I Sing

Saturday 31 March 2001 and Sunday 1 April 2001

An Artangel project at the Roundhouse with many other London-based amateur choirs and The Shout, directed by Orlando Gough. Read a preview in the Independent. It was for this event that Maspindzeli was so named, after much discussion.

First session led by Venice Manley

Saturday 7 October 2000

At the Winchester Project, Swiss Cottage.

St Saviour's Church, Chalk Farm

Saturday 10 June 2000

Concert billed as "Songs from the Caucasus Mountains". Joint concert with the National Theatre Choir (also led by Helen Chadwick).

First ever session

Saturday 2 October 1999

First rehearsal with Helen Chadwick at Union Chapel.