before Lent, a few weeks, in the churches begin preparatory services.On Sundays before Lent sound special chants, such as "By the rivers of Babylon" and "Open to me the doors of repentance" tuning parishioners at a special prayer and penitential attitude.During Lent, during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, another hymn sounds similar sentiments - "Let my prayer."And this service will not sound "Cherubic Hymn" and instead hear "Now the powers of heaven", and change the other songs on the service.The chants of Lent differ from those heard on services in the ordinary days, and will talk in this article.
emotional power of the Orthodox chants
musical language of worship respond to the content of prayers.His task is to convey meaning, presenting to the heart and awakening the penitential mood of the soul.Figuratively, the emotional sphere of musical style chants, established back in the XVII - XIX centuries, passed two frets color - a major and minor.These musical scales are rooted in ancient times, when there were a large number of modes, each of which corresponded to their emotional state.These frets are widely used not only in the temple hymns, but in folklore, so for them it was enshrined title frets folk music.When there was a major-minor music system, the other frets in the usual music was forgotten.It happened that Major became associated with joy and gladness, light and inspiration, and Minor - with grief, sadness and sorrow.Composers of the Romantic era ceased to hold this system, which seemed primitive, and they draw inspiration from folk music in trouble, finding it incredible and endless source of new colors and melody.The musical language in all ages is a reflection of mental state of a person of his time.He then was harmonious and complex, the atonal and virtually destroyed.Experiments on musical language were very long, but finally oust major-minor (Western European) music was impossible.Nevertheless, Western European musical language appeared alien to the Orthodox worldview and worship.
Way Orthodox Chants
in Church Slavonic present wonderful word - "radostnopechalie" accurately convey the state of a believer.Can not sorrow without joy and hope in the mercy of God and the joy without sorrow for their sins.It is well heard when heard chants of Lent and Holy Week, as well as toll ends festive peal.The liturgical musical compositions also was to find ways to clarify and deepen musical language means.The convergence of major and minor with decreasing contrast was necessary.Over time, it adds two ways - one simple when conventional hymns within the scale often move tonic that causes some fret uncertainty and unexpressed emotional.This way has its roots in folk songs and liturgical chants, he miraculously caught on and became a regular feature.It is especially noticeable if you listen to the chants of Lent variable fret, such as "repentance" Lavra chant and B. Krupitsky "By the rivers of Babylon."
second harmonically more complex - a way to increase due to fret chords neighbor.This trend has set for itself with the Moscow School of composers A.Kastalskim, A.Nikolskim, P. Chesnokov and others. Their works are harmonically more colorful and varied, with very low dominant feature of the mode.But the incredible ability of these composers creativity is the ability to lead the word all means of musical language.This is clearly expressed, for example, in "repentance" Chesnokov.
Back to Banner singing
Another version of the path - back to national sources, when there was an opportunity to go beyond the tone of the series.This option marks the return to singing, and there are opinions that the chants of Lent should be znamenny chant as more appropriate guard services.Banner singing simplistic, austere, restrained, without the content of polar modal colors, it is more conducive to introspection and thoughtful contemplation, not emotional outbursts.But there are technical difficulties of transition on the banner of the singing during Lent.It's like to start singing in another language freely, sincerely, with all my heart.This way is slightly different from the usual minor, but they introduced a new coloring slightly reduces imposed minor notes emotionally-shaped state.This is clearly expressed in songs of modern poster I. Denisova, who fit perfectly into the Lenten liturgy.When you listen to
favorites chants of Lent and Holy Week, you can hear almost all versions of the musical language.The language of worship as symbolic as a change of clothes in the garb.Minor thickened well with the fast time - the period of repentance and contrition strengthened.Apparently, so easily accepted, when the singing is replaced reading on fast days, of course willing to listen znamenny singing.
Notes Lent
beautiful harmony singing choir perceived better monotone reading, prayer sets up a specific way.Church singing has its own specifics, though subject to the general rules of the musical harmony.Notes chants of Lent reveal spiritual truths of the gospel are preaching melodic, sound way of worship.Nowadays, there are many wonderful pieces, so the church must be so regents select songs by different authors, they came to one style and manner of execution.Chants of Lent performed special mood light sadness.When they sing with soul, a very beautiful, quiet, restrained.This is especially evident in the hymns to Valaam chant.
One of the most striking works in the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is chanting "Let my prayer."Fairly well-known melody, arranged for notes chants of Lent, not only fills the heart with a sense of repentance, but also a harmonious beauty.
Lent - a special time in the life of an Orthodox Christian.Those who have ever come to the temple and listened to lean services, in his heart, to preserve the beauty and light chants penitential sorrow.Maybe they will come through a deep understanding of the joy of the Resurrection.
