Kvemo Alvani
Epro Torghvaidze
In her eighties at the time of recording, Epro remembers local Tushetian dance tunes on the garmoni¹ with time-worn fingers. She is an unparallelled treasure of musical heritage, as no one today plays quite the same old melodies, nor invokes with their songs the same nostalgia for a time that passed long ago. Over the years, Epro has taught many of her songs to her niece, Eliko Torghvaidze. She lived with her son and grandchidren in Kvemo Alvani at the time of recording.
Epro passed away on October 8, 2016. We are so grateful for her participation in this project.
¹A button accordion that originated in Russia and plays an important role in the musical tradition of the Tush in Georgia, as well as in other regions throughout the Caucasus. Read more about the garmoni here.
Epro Torghvaidze