In Russia, during the 17th century, in competition with
polyphony, traditional monodic singing gradually fell
into disuse.
To avoid its disappearance, it is no longer
notated in neumes, but using “small hammers”
arranged on a staff of five lines, in imitation of the
Western musical notation system.
The pitches and rhythms of the original melodies
must have suffered from this reduction, but they remain
precious witnesses of the ancient melodies that I use
as basic ...(+)
In Russia, during the 17th century, in competition with
polyphony, traditional monodic singing gradually fell
into disuse.
To avoid its disappearance, it is no longer
notated in neumes, but using “small hammers”
arranged on a staff of five lines, in imitation of the
Western musical notation system.
The pitches and rhythms of the original melodies
must have suffered from this reduction, but they remain
precious witnesses of the ancient melodies that I use
as basic material in the compositions presented in this
publication.
