Polyphony and Poikilia: Theology and Aesthetics in the Exegesis of Tradition in Georgian Chant
Georgian polyphonic chant and folk song is beginning to receive scholarly attention outside its homeland, and is a useful case study in several respects. This study focuses on the theological nature of its musical material, examining relevant examples in light of the patristic understanding of hiera...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-06-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/7/402 |
| _version_ | 1818924404406484992 |
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| author | Nun Sidonia (Freedman) |
| author_facet | Nun Sidonia (Freedman) |
| author_sort | Nun Sidonia (Freedman) |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Georgian polyphonic chant and folk song is beginning to receive scholarly attention outside its homeland, and is a useful case study in several respects. This study focuses on the theological nature of its musical material, examining relevant examples in light of the patristic understanding of hierarchy and prototype and of iconography and liturgy. After brief historical and theological discussions, chant variants and paraliturgical songs from various periods and regions are analysed in depth, using a primarily geometrical approach, describing the iconography and significance of style, musical structure, contrapuntal relationships, melodic figuration, and ornamentation. Aesthetics and compositional processes are discussed, and the theological approach in turn sheds light on questions of historical development. It is demonstrated that Georgian polyphony is a rich repository of theology of the Trinity and the Incarnation, and the article concludes with broad theological reflections on the place of sound as it relates to text, prayer, and tradition over time. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T02:24:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-71785182ca7a4d9184a48f21126db2fc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T02:24:47Z |
| publishDate | 2019-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-71785182ca7a4d9184a48f21126db2fc2022-12-21T19:56:44ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442019-06-0110740210.3390/rel10070402rel10070402Polyphony and Poikilia: Theology and Aesthetics in the Exegesis of Tradition in Georgian ChantNun Sidonia (Freedman)0Sacred Monastery of St Nina, Union Bridge, MD 21791, USAGeorgian polyphonic chant and folk song is beginning to receive scholarly attention outside its homeland, and is a useful case study in several respects. This study focuses on the theological nature of its musical material, examining relevant examples in light of the patristic understanding of hierarchy and prototype and of iconography and liturgy. After brief historical and theological discussions, chant variants and paraliturgical songs from various periods and regions are analysed in depth, using a primarily geometrical approach, describing the iconography and significance of style, musical structure, contrapuntal relationships, melodic figuration, and ornamentation. Aesthetics and compositional processes are discussed, and the theological approach in turn sheds light on questions of historical development. It is demonstrated that Georgian polyphony is a rich repository of theology of the Trinity and the Incarnation, and the article concludes with broad theological reflections on the place of sound as it relates to text, prayer, and tradition over time.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/7/402Georgian chantOrthodox theologyexegesis of traditionaestheticspolyphonyoral traditionDionysios the Areopagite |
| spellingShingle | Nun Sidonia (Freedman) Polyphony and Poikilia: Theology and Aesthetics in the Exegesis of Tradition in Georgian Chant Religions Georgian chant Orthodox theology exegesis of tradition aesthetics polyphony oral tradition Dionysios the Areopagite |
| title | Polyphony and Poikilia: Theology and Aesthetics in the Exegesis of Tradition in Georgian Chant |
| title_full | Polyphony and Poikilia: Theology and Aesthetics in the Exegesis of Tradition in Georgian Chant |
| title_fullStr | Polyphony and Poikilia: Theology and Aesthetics in the Exegesis of Tradition in Georgian Chant |
| title_full_unstemmed | Polyphony and Poikilia: Theology and Aesthetics in the Exegesis of Tradition in Georgian Chant |
| title_short | Polyphony and Poikilia: Theology and Aesthetics in the Exegesis of Tradition in Georgian Chant |
| title_sort | polyphony and poikilia theology and aesthetics in the exegesis of tradition in georgian chant |
| topic | Georgian chant Orthodox theology exegesis of tradition aesthetics polyphony oral tradition Dionysios the Areopagite |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/7/402 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nunsidoniafreedman polyphonyandpoikiliatheologyandaestheticsintheexegesisoftraditioningeorgianchant |