Yale Russian Chorus - Shen Khar Venakhi

The Yale Russian Chorus (YRC), founded in 1953, is the oldest singing group in the New World dedicated to the choral music of Eastern Europe. The YRC has mounted over 20 European tours including many tours of Georgia. During our 1968 tour we first met the Rustavi Ensemble, who taught us Shen Khar Venakhi and other Georgian songs. We have performed Georgian songs even since, and have helped make Shen Khar Venakhi popular around the world. The YRC was forced to cancel its 2020 European tour due to COVID-19, and so we are making virtual recordings instead. This virtual chorus recording includes members of the YRC, alumni, and affiliated groups including the Kartuli Ensemble, Kavkasia, and Darbazi. This video was submitted to IRCTP to help celebrate their 10th Anniversary International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony at a time when COVID-19 was sweeping the world, bringing international travel to a standstill. Many of the videos were compiled into a one