„Indeed, psaltic music is not only prayer but also art,
but in order to understand it as art, in the proper spirit,
you must seek prayer first.”
(Panagiotis Neochotiris)
The largest event in Romania dedicated exclusively to the interpretation and study of Psaltic Art is opening its doors widely! The organizers have prepared a five-day marathon of intensive courses, presentations, conferences and debates with the most sonorous names of this fascinating world and, in addition, a friendly environment that would allow us to know each other better.
This year we are approaching and studying melismatic chants. At the same time, we ought to dedicate this 5-day event to the 200th anniversary of the first printed psaltic collection (Petros Peloponnesios, Anastasimatarion and Doxastarion, Petrou Efesiou ed., 1820, Bucharest).
The online organization of this year’s edition (according to the regulations imposed by the current situation) will make our long-awaited meeting a really special one, not because of the restrictions, but because we will allow more space for intensive interpretation courses!
Courses and conferences
With the intention to enjoy this year a remarkable personality but also to repeat a truly revealing experience, we have invited, for the sixth time, Mr Panagiotis Neochoritis, Archon Protopsaltes of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, who proposes trainees a fascinating journey into the world of the ethos of modes, through the perspective of melismatic songs. The unique working method, the unmistakable pedagogical tact, the spiritual connotations imprinted on the interpretive act, the exigency and the love with which he engages these meetings, they all contribute to the event’s high level.
On the other hand, the course on Eastern instrumental worship music represents the invitation of Assoc. Prof. Maria Alexandru, PhD (“Aristotelis” University of Thessaloniki) to know another hypostasis of Byzantine music. She will also take us back in time to the world of calophony and of the great Byzantine masters, through her presentation on the compositions of St. John Koukouzelis.
Prof. Georgios Konstantinou, PhD (Conductor of the Greek Byzantine Choir, Athens) marks, through his speech, the 200th anniversary of the first psaltic printed collection, talking about the Petros Peloponnesios’ Anastasimatarion in its evolution from manuscript to print.
Rev. Deacon Lect. Sorin Mihalache, PhD will make a deep foray into the fascinating world of neuroscience on the borderline with the Philokalia of Holy Fathers, who will talk about attention and prayer in chants.
A new guest of the event, the well-known hieromonk and specialist in Liturgics Petru Pruteanu proposes to you the debate of two very attractive and necessary topics: the history and the typikon of the Canon and Metamorphoses and liturgical practices out of use.
The deacon and researcher Cornel Constantin Coman, PhD candidate (Bucharest) will introduce us to the captivating world of chanting in which human choirs are called to chant along with the angelic choirs, while monk Filotheu Bălan (Petru Vodă Monastery, Romania) will present the results of his extensive studies with on the stages of the transition from the old notation to the new method.
Assoc. Prof. Irina Zamfira Dănilă, PhD will talk about the melismatic songs from the manuscripts of the “Dumitru Stăniloae” Library from Iași, with musical examples by the Floralia group of students from the Department of Religious Music in the “George Enescu” National University of Arts of Iași.
At the end of the event, the Byzantion Academic Choir will perform online a programme dedicated to the Service of the Akathyst Hymn.
May the hymnographer Saints keep us in their prayers so that we could make the most of these meetings and experiences!
MCB Registration form
Adrian Sîrbu,
Artistic Director of
The Masterclass of Byzantine Chant
from Iași
We kindly thank prof. Sorina Chiper PhD for the translation into English
