Ensemble “Rustavi” Administration Press Release, October 22nd, 2017

September 19, 2017

 

Mr. Anzor Erkomaishvili

Dear Anzor-sensei

Thank you very much for sending me the Anthology of Georgian Folk Songs via Mr. Takehide Harada of Iwanami Hall all the way from Tbilisi to Japan. I apologize for being late in conveying my appreciation as I was away from Japan for some time. First of all, I would like to congratulate on the successful publication and express my heartiest appreciation.

This magnificent and unparalleled anthology is radiantly shining as the crystal of long standing artistic and academic activities of Anzor-sensei. When I read page after page filled with thoughts and listening to the recordings, I truly become impressed with the passion of Anzor-sensei and corresponding fabulousness of the ensemble. I will treat this anthology as a treasure of Yamashirogumi and we strive to keep reading and listening carefully to enhance our performances and activities.

As I noted in the preface of the book, we started the challenge of learning and performing the polyphony in Sakartvelo when I happened to listen to “Diambego” through a Japanese radio program in 1969. In several years, we made our own recordings of the polyphony to create an LP album of which prompted the relationship with Anzor-sensei and many people in Georgia which has been nurtured and deepened to date. I do hope this anthology will be passed to many people all over the world and shall lead to a wider range of the exchange of friendship in a same manner as we had been given a luck in the past.

We also learned form Mr. Harada about the planned stage of Rustavi in Japan next year. We truly look forward to seeing you and members at that occasion. We would be grateful if you kindly keep us updated on the details.

We all hope health and further success of Anzor-sensei and prosperity of Rustavi.

 

Sincerely yours,

Shoji Yamashiro

Leader of Geinoh Yamashirogumi