Vienna Minoritenkirche concert pays homage to late composer Giya Kancheli

A Christmas concert of classical music at Vienna's historical Minoritenkirche church paid tribute to the memory of the internationally recognised Georgian composer Giya Kancheli last week.

At the 14th century church, located in the capital city and home of paintings and sculptures from medieval times, hosted a group of artists performing for an audience that included local officials and Georgian diplomatic corps.

Pianist Ketevan Sepashvili, composer  and pianist George Kachinsky, flutist Temur Kharshiladze and soprano Madina Karbeli were in the line-up for the evening opened by Ambassador of Georgia to Austria David Dondua.

Pianist Ketevan Sepashvili, soprano Madina Karbeli and flutist Temur Kharshiladze photographed performing at the concert in the historical church. Photo via George Kachinsky on Facebook.

Marking the event's homage to Kancheli, who passed away in October, the diplomat spoke about the legacy of the composer whose life and work has been subject of tributes from Georgia and beyond.

Dondua also introduced the performers selected for the evening to the audience before the musical programme of the concert took over to create Christmas mood for the listeners.

The concert was among performances and events held following the passing away of Kancheli. In October the St Jacob's Church in The Hague sounded melodies from pieces by the composer from its bell tower, while a Tbilisoba City Festival concert in Georgia was dedicated to his memory the same week.

Work of Kancheli, who died at the age of 84, became  an iconic part of Georgian theatre and cinema, while his international standing was also underlined with a performance of his works by the Georgian National Orchestra at the Konzerthaus Berlin venue in the German capital in 2015.