Veli Ulevi

In the Georgian language Veli Ulevi means „inexhaustible field“, which is a fair description of the work of Russudan Meipariani and Zura Dzagnidze.
Their deep understanding of classical music, composition, Georgian folk music, Jazz and experimental music brought the two Georgian musicians together during their studies at the Tiflis conservatory. Their ways separated soon after: in Germany and in England both musicians dedicated themselves to composition and other artistic projects. 2009 their paths crossed once more and they continued where they had left off.
The resulting project Veli Ulevi opens with its fascinating and unique mixture of experimental, independent and folk music a new frontier which goes far beyondpresent musical boundaries and as a result the listener is treated to an intense, enchanting, touching but also challenging musical experience.
Russudan’s siren-like voice, which lies somewhere in between fragility, abstraction and raw emotion, is accompanied by the extraordinary rhythms and harmonies of Zura’s guitar, Russudan’s piano, organ and keyboard. His “tapping” techniques open new and exciting dimensions of guitar playing.
Listeners and spectators remain breathless as they follow the duo’s unique performance, which includes the use of less common instruments such as: Xylophone, thumb piano, toy piano and electronically synthesized sounds. The audience is literally faced with “folk music from outer-space“. This broad and versatile music sends their listeners on a journey over trees, behind hidden doors and to the edges of dreams.
Their recent program, which uses poetry from all over the world, creates musical bridges between this avant-garde and in its core Georgian creation and the many other peoples, whose poetic treasures they embrace.
Ulrike Bohnet