As the 16th edition of the “Night Serenades” festival approaches, Mr. Giorgi Issakadze, the festival’s esteemed artistic director, discusses Liana Isakadze’s legacy and provides a detailed preview of the festival’s vibrant lineup. This year, the festival will traverse three culturally rich cities—Borjomi, Batumi, and Tbilisi—showcasing a stunning array of musical and dance performances. In this interview, Mr. Issakadze delves into the unique styles and contributions of the participating artists, highlighting their distinct instruments and performance techniques.
How is this year’s festival different from previous years?
This year’s festival is certainly unique, as it is the first one without our founder, Liana Isakadze. We bid farewell to a remarkable personality and an exceptional musician, whose contributions to Georgian culture and the global music scene were profound. We remember her not just as a prodigy full of talent but as someone whose exceptional musical intuition and poetic sense touched us deeply. While we are filled with great sadness at her passing, the joy of connecting with the Georgian public brings some solace. This festival is undeniably marked by a significant loss for Georgian culture and for all of us.
Despite this, the festival continues, as it was Liana’s life’s work. Her dedication to this festival, along with the many great musicians who have participated, has shaped its legacy. We are committed to maintaining the festival’s multifaceted and genre-rich program. Like Liana, who embraced a wide range of music from jazz to romantic pieces and tango, this year’s festival will showcase a diverse and rich program. We will present seven concerts across three cities: Borjomi, Batumi, and Tbilisi.
Can you give us an overview of the diverse lineup for this year’s “Night Serenades” festival and the unique contributions of the artists involved?
This year’s festival features an extraordinary collection of talent from around the world, each bringing their unique flair to the stage. We’re thrilled to present a range of performances that span various genres and styles, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of global musical traditions.
Let’s start with the opening concert in Borjomi. What can you tell us about the performers and their unique contributions?
The opening concert in Borjomi will be a remarkable start to the festival. We are honored to feature Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, an Italian bandoneonist renowned for his exceptional skill and emotive performances. The bandoneon, a key instrument in Argentine tango, adds a distinctive, melancholic sound that Pietrodarchi masterfully brings to life. His interpretations of Astor Piazzolla’s compositions are particularly evocative, offering a rich tapestry of sound that beautifully complements the festival’s theme.
Joining Pietrodarchi will be Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev, a violinist from Azerbaijan/Turkey, whose virtuosic performances are celebrated for their technical brilliance and expressive depth. Ganiyev’s repertoire, including Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and Astor Piazzolla’s “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,” will showcase his versatility and emotional range.
Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev is an outstanding young violinist and virtuoso, representing the esteemed Ganiyev musical dynasty, which is renowned among the leading musicians of Azerbaijan and currently based in Turkey. Elvin has garnered acclaim as a laureate of numerous international competitions and has performed on some of the world’s finest stages with leading conductors. His performances are known for their unique individuality, vibrant temperament, and remarkable virtuosity.
It’s also noteworthy that the Ganiyev family shared a close personal and creative friendship with Liana Isakadze and my father, Eldari. Prominent Azerbaijani musician Seyran Ganiyev, a member of this distinguished family, studied at the Moscow Conservatory alongside Liana and my father, further strengthening their bond.
We are thrilled to have Elvin join our festival. His exceptional talent and dynamic performances are sure to captivate and impress our audience.
Adding a Georgian touch to the evening, we have Mariam Kikaleishvili as mezzo-soprano, Giorgi Bugianishvili as tenor, and Mariam Bugianishvili with her soulful vocals. The Ensemble Borjomi, led by Giorgi Bugianishvili, and the Festival Base Orchestra Georgian Virtuosi, led by concertmaster Lela Mtchedlidze, will accompany these artists. Mtchedlidze’s leadership brings a cohesive and dynamic energy to the orchestra, enhancing the overall musical experience.
Moving on to Batumi, what makes the concerts there special, and how do the performers contribute to the festival’s atmosphere?
Batumi’s concerts are a testament to the festival’s commitment to diverse musical expressions. On August 23, Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi will again perform with the Festival Base Orchestra Georgian Virtuosi. The program features works by Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota, whose compositions for film are known for their emotional depth and cinematic quality. Pietrodarchi’s bandoneon will provide a unique texture to these well-loved pieces, blending seamlessly with the orchestra’s rich sound.
The second concert in Batumi on August 25 will spotlight Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev, whose performance of Paganini’s “Caprice No. 24” is expected to be a highlight. This piece is renowned for its technical challenges and expressive potential, and Ganiyev’s interpretation will undoubtedly captivate the audience with its virtuosity.
Tbilisi will host several key performances. Can you elaborate on the artists and the distinctive aspects of their performances?
Tbilisi will indeed be a focal point for the festival, featuring an impressive array of performances. On September 15, Beatrice Venezi, an Italian conductor known for her innovative and passionate approach to orchestral music, will lead the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra. The program includes Ottorino Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.3, with Georgian pianist Sandro Nebieridze providing a stunning solo performance.
On the 17th, we celebrate Brazilian music with a diverse ensemble including cellist Lizi Ramishvili (cello), soprano Mariam Roinishvili (soprano), clarinetist Giorgi Oikashvili (clarinet), and the Festival base orchestra Georgian Virtuosos. Special guest Mariam Makarashvili will join on drums, bringing an additional layer of rhythm and flair. The evening will feature works by renowned Brazilian composers such as Heitor Villa-Lobos and Antonio Carlos Jobim, highlighting the rich and varied landscape of Brazilian music.
September 18 will feature a concert dedicated to Czech music, with Giorgi Shaverzashvili (piano) and Giorgi Khaindrava (violin) performing works by Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák. Shaverzashvili’s piano technique and Khaindrava’s expressive violin playing will offer a deep and nuanced interpretation of these celebrated compositions, celebrating Smetana’s 200th anniversary in a fitting tribute.
How does the closing concert on September 20 embody the festival’s spirit, and what makes it stand out?
The closing concert is designed to be a grand finale that reflects the festival’s spirit of excellence and celebration. We are excited to feature Andrés Gabetta, a French violinist and conductor, a brilliant master of interpreting Baroque music in both roles, and Maurice Steger, a Swiss recorder virtuoso celebrated as the world’s greatest performer of the Baroque flute. Their performance, titled “Vivaldi and Friends,” will explore a repertoire that includes works by Evaristo Felice Dall’Abaco, Pietro Locatelli, and Antonio Vivaldi. Steger’s playing will bring a distinctive timbre to the concert, adding a unique historical dimension to Vivaldi’s compositions.
Gabetta’s role as both a violinist and conductor allows for a rich and multifaceted interpretation of the concert program, blending historical insight with modern sensibilities. This concert promises to be a fitting and celebratory conclusion to the festival, showcasing the depth and diversity of the musical experience we aim to offer.
Following the insights from the interview, it’s important to recognize the key supporters and partners behind the project
Supporters: Ministry of Culture and Sport of Georgia, Ministry of Education, Culture
and Sports of Adjara, Tbilisi City Hall, Batumi City Hall, Borjomi City Hall, Embassy of Italy,
Embassy of Brazil, Embassy of Czech Republic.
Hosts: Hotel Borjomi Likani, Hilton garden Inn Tbilisi.
Partners: Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Support Companies: GPC Pharmacy,Yves Rocher – the founder of herbal cosmetics from France, “Piel Naturals” – Georgian handmade cosmetics brand. Brothers Khutsishvili Wine Cellar, Wine Company „GEORGIAN LEGEND”.
Media partners: Public Broadcaster Adjara, Georgian Public Broadcaster, Rustavi 2, Imedi Media Holding, POSTV, Euronews Georgia, Media holding “Georgian Times”, Ertsulovneba TV, Media And Digital Communications Agency “Clip Art”, Ambebi.ge, “Prime Time” news agency, “Today“, “Messenger”, Journal “Sarke”, “Adjara” newspaper, online media “Ajara Times”, radio “Fortuna”, website “Fortuna.ge”.
