Studies on Eastern Orthodox Church Chant

Book excerpt: "The focus is on the study of important oldest genres, liturgical books and distinguished men of letters revealing the compilation of different practices and languages. It is done for the first time. For the first time also, are introduced newly found sources, some of which are unique, and unknown men of letters with their contribution to the field of Eastern Orthodox chant. The book gives a possibility of the reader to have various medieval sources in different languages in one place. The topics discussed are from the entire history of Eastern chant - from the ninth to the nineteenth century. They are studied on the ground of a complex interdisciplinary approach. The book consists of 16 topics, grouped in 4 chapters. The author discusses unknown or not well-known topics of the history of Eastern Orthodox church chant. The aim of the book is to present the Eastern chant as a phase in the evolution of Mediterranean art, which in fact is the cradle of our common Graeco-Roman heritage. The complex study of genres, liturgical books and the work of distinguished men of letters of this chant shows its ability to compile various traditions in different languages and national practices, to contaminate their wealth in order to strengthen the Christian faith during the Middle Ages and the early Balkan National Revival. The book's audience will include everyone interested in liturgical musical books, liturgy and chant repertory. Likewise, it will include those engaged in the study of medieval and the early Balkan National Revival music and liturgical history"--