Author: Prof. Nicolae Teodoreanu (Bucharest National University of Music)
Keywords: Church, music, theology, instruments, word, liturgy, askesis
Abstract:
In this second part of his plea for a theology of sacred music, the author sets forth some defining elements of the liturgical music in the musical practice of the Orthodox Church. He touches issues such as its origin, structures, ornaments, morphological aspects and others. Related themes also are present as the use of instruments, the importance of askesis in music, monastic and lay chant and others. What should be bear in mind is that the author has done personal research, without pretending to be exhaustive or to set some standards. The study is maybe more like a long, well-structured essay and less an academic study with all that implies (essential sources, the most important or the essential contributions in domain and so on). And this for two reasons: the poor bibliographical material (made) available (to him) and the vastness of the themes in view. If we are to mention his main merit, that is his courageous enterprise into getting in subjects poorly treated and known, at least in his time; subjects that did not received the attention they deserved; and as its downside, the overuse of non-professional authors, because of whom he has developed himself a series of opinions and ways of thinking unfit for setting forth an authentic theology of music or for an orthodox vision of music. So, despite some weak points, some small contradictions, his plea is for a theological understanding of music base on the authentic, orthodox teaching about the Incarnation and the tradition of Holy Fathers.
Pages: 82-114