| Armenian Chant |
Article Index for Armenian |
Website Links For Armenian |
Information AboutArmenian Chant |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT ARMENIAN CHANT | |
| armenian music | |
| chant | |
| christian music | |
|
Armenian chant, like Byzantine Chant , consists mainly of Hymn s. The chants are grouped in an Oktoechos . The oldest hymns were in prose, but later versified hymns became more prominent, such as those by Nerses Schnorhali . The official book of hymns, the Shakaran , contains 1,166 hymns. The earliest surviving manuscripts with music notation date from the 14th century, and use a system of Neume s known as ''Armenian neumes'', which seem to use a developed system but which have not been deciphered. In the 19th century, a new notation was introduced, which is still used now. Armenian chant is now sung to a precise rhythm, including specific rhythmic patterns which are atypical of Plainsong . This is considered by some scholars (such as P. Aubry) to be a result of Turkish influence, although others (such as R. P. Decevrens) consider it of great antiquity and use it as evidence in favor of a more rhythmic interpretation of Gregorian Chant . The chants used by communities in the Armenian Diaspora are usually harmonized and differ from the original forms. The source of the most traditional music is the liturgies at Echmiadzin , the religious center of Armenia. REFERENCE
|
|
|