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In his research A.Shevchenko reconstructs general development of the “perfect system” and ancient Greek notation system. He deciphers the oldest specimen of antic music (VI c. B.C.) — a hieratic sound formula, which was used during the sacrifice procedure, dedicated to the Panaphinean games. He also deciphers a musical specimen (Parod I) from Aristophanes comedy» The clouds” (V c. B.C.).
Ellada Music
Antique Greek musical tradition was formed under the influence of Ancient East musical traditions, at the same time it defined the beginning of culture with a different type — a European one. This fact determined its peculiarity, its role and importance for the evolution of musical thinking.
Nowadays when there exists a tendency for synthesizing cultural experience of different cultures, antique music is interesting not only in its historic context but in connection with problems which are solved by modern musicians.
One of effective forms of studying antique cither music is its reconstruction and revival by means of performing it and gradual development of the audience listening experience.
A cither was the most popular musical instrument among many others in antique Greece (like a piano now) and it was used both by singers (which used cithers for accompaniment ) and solo musicians (performance of musical pieces).
A guitar today is an instrument which can be used for the revival of antique music as there are no principal differences between a cipher and a guitar. The similarity between these two instruments reflects even in their names — in Modern Greek a guitar is a cipher.
“The difference between a guitar and a cipher is less essential then it seems from the first sight. Both instruments are played by plucking; they both have a flat resonance frame. The strings on the cipher were fixed to the frame but they are fixed to the neck on the guitar. However it doesn’t make any difference from the point of view of acoustics”. (Groves dictionary of Music and Musicians, London, 1954, V. III).
The anthology of guitar music is the most full edition of antique music samples. |
