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Sacred Music & Hymnography

Byzantine Chant

Byzantine Chant, by Unknown author, between 1204 and 1453
Byzantine Greek Banquet Alexander Manuscript Unknown author, between 1204 and 1453 Public domain

The liturgical chant tradition of the Orthodox Church, using the eight-tone system (Octoechos). Monophonic (single melodic line), unaccompanied (no instruments in traditional Orthodox worship), and modal. Uses neumes (Byzantine musical notation). UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The human voice alone glorifies God.

Sources

  • Octoechos (Book of Eight Tones) OCA, the services
  • Dimitri Conomos, Byzantine Hymnography and Byzantine Chant
  • UNESCO ICH inscription (2019)

Connections

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