Byzantine Chant

  • Thread starter Thread starter I_Thirst
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I

I_Thirst

Guest
I’d like to learn more about it, specifically in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church – though any info in general would be helpful.

Note that I ran a schola cantorum for Gregorian chant in my Roman Catholic parish (unfortunately, my parish won’t allow chant at Mass), as well as having been a part of several Church choirs, and I have extensive music experience.
 
I_Thirst said:
I’d like to learn more about it, specifically in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church – though any info in general would be helpful.

Note that I ran a schola cantorum for Gregorian chant in my Roman Catholic parish (unfortunately, my parish won’t allow chant at Mass), as well as having been a part of several Church choirs, and I have extensive music experience.
Click to expand...
Byzantine chant refers to a particular style of chant… basically what is sung in the Greek church. The form of writing this music is particular to this style of music and does not resemble any type of western musical notation. It is squiggles and dots over the written text…almost looks like Arabic writing. Other churches following the Byzantine tradition have their own forms of chant. The Ukrainians have Kievan chant, the Ruthenians have prostepenje, the Russians have a few styles such as Valaam chant and Znammenny chant. Here is a good link to different chants you might enjoy.

stjrussianorthodox.com/music.htm
 
ciero said:
Byzantine chant refers to a particular style of chant… basically what is sung in the Greek church. The form of writing this music is particular to this style of music and does not resemble any type of western musical notation. It is squiggles and dots over the written text…almost looks like Arabic writing. Other churches following the Byzantine tradition have their own forms of chant. The Ukrainians have Kievan chant, the Ruthenians have prostepenje, the Russians have a few styles such as Valaam chant and Znammenny chant. Here is a good link to different chants you might enjoy.

stjrussianorthodox.com/music.htm
Click to expand...
Thank you, ciero. Kievan chant! Another good thing to know.

I’ve seen some examples of written Byzantine chant and, to my eye, it resembles early Gregorian chant notation (before neumes were put on the staff).
 
I_Thirst said:
Thanks, Constantine!

I believe someone I know has this. The sample pages on that site are great, and now I have a much clearer idea of what’s in there.

Do you use it at your UGCC?
Click to expand...
We try. There was an attempt to introduce it but as soon as our cantor left, we reverted to the previous music sets. Just because people used that for a longer time and are more used to the music there. We are still hoping to transition to the Anthology fully, but I don’t know when and how. I know the music more because I have a copy of the CD.

What I like about the CD is that it also has samples of Tone 1-8, so if you need to practice that for the Tropars, you can refer to the samples in the CD.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top