Liturgy of Peace (De Angelis) -Chants from the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, were first sung by Archbishop Ionafan in the melodious style of ancient Gregorian surroundings. Gregorian singing (choral) and its ancient melodies were sung without the inclusion of musical instruments, song. Melodious sources and origins of Gregorian chorals derive from synagogical (antiphonal) psalm melodies, Byzantine hymns and ancient world music.
Several types of Chorale Church Music exist. Specific notice is deserved to the ancient-Roman songs of the VII-VIII centuries. Information from the Lorana Institute and Greek research into choral traditions of L. Anhelopulocs show a united modal, rhythmic and ornamental basis. These actual chants were placed into the foundation of Gregorian chorals until the VIII-IX centuries until the systematic Gregorian eight-toned foundational singing arose. In the East this process ceased a century earlier (Eight Tones of St. John Damascene), in time the Gregorian chorale became the basis of all European professional music and its rightful name should be “The Musical Teacher of Europe”.
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Yes I Like Church Music
As an organ lover and someone who enjoys singing, I do love Church Music, You know hymns and carols. It is very easy to shut your eyes and imagine singing the hymn as you play (And yes, I often play with my eyes shut. I will cover that in the near future).
The organ with its wealth of Flutes or Tibias, is the one instrument that can add much variance to the melodies of the music of the church. Use of Reverb, Chorus/ Chorale/ Lesle Speaker/ Tremelo, with fast or slow speeds can bring life to the music as you play. Sustain, and a really deep Bass Pedal sound also fills it out nicely.
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It was during the Medieval Period that the first church dramas began to appear. As Richard Courtney, famous drama teacher and theatre scholar, pointed out that the Mass itself of course has the seeds of drama – chanted dialogue and a theme of action, but not the essential quality of impersonation.
Impersonation began with the trope sung during the night before Easter. A trope was an extra chant written to accompany church music on special occasions. In the Mass, the trope had been sung by the choir. When repositioned, it became a separate little scene performed at Matins on Easter morning; much like a tiny opera, three people impersonated the Marys and one the angel before an improvised sepulchre.
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