Liturgical chants of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra: specifics and sequence of musical notation and printing

Abstract

The article covers specifics of liturgical chants in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, their uniqueness, characteristics and tasks. It traces the history of Lavra’s chants history, development during many centuries and virtual abolition in Soviet times. The author notes an immense influence of Lavra’s chants on liturgical chants of the Orthodox Church in general and especially on the territory of the south and north-east of the former Russian Empire. The sequence of Lavra’s handwritten sheet music books creation is considered. The historical review of sheet music publishing in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is given, the principles of selection of liturgical chants for publishing are defined. Printed music editions published in the Lavra before 1917 are listed. Some of the most complete and correct treatments of the chants of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra created and published outside the Lavra are distinguished. The process of gradual restoration of authentic Lavra chants and the current state of music publishing in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra are described. The main tasks of the national musical bibliography for revealing, systematization and description of liturgical printed music are outlined.

Keywords

• Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, liturgical music, liturgical chants, sheet music publishing, music publishing, printed music.