Coptic music
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Coptic music is music that is sung and played in the Coptic Orthodox Church (of Egypt). It consists mainly of chanted hymns in rhythm with instruments such as cymbals (hand and large size) and the triangle. Coptic music is purely religious.
Coptic chant is a very old tradition, assumed to have links with the ancient liturgies of Jerusalem or Syria; however, manuscripts survive only since recent times and little is known for sure about the older tradition. Until these recent liturgical books, the music was transmitted orally. In the modern chant, there is extensive use of melody types, which allow some improvisation by the singers.
The percussion instruments used in the Coptic Church are unusual among Christian liturgies. Since similar instruments appear in ancient Egyptian frescoes and reliefs, some believe that they may represent a survival from a very old tradition.
The most famous modern Coptic cantor is the late Cantor Mikhail Girgis El Batanouny, whose recordings have helped preserve and unify many ancient chants that otherwise would have been lost.
[edit] External links
- Complete collection of Cantor Mikhail Girgis El Batanouny's recordings of Coptic chant from coptichymns.net
- coptichymns.net 'coptichymns.net - Sharing the Joy of Coptic Hymns Around the World
- copticheritage.org The Official Website of the Heritage of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
- Coptic Music, Hymns, and Rites Articles from coptichymns.net
- Coptic Music Articles
- Coptic Multimedia Archive at Saint TeklaHimanot Church of Egypt Articles
[edit] See also
| Eastern: | Armenian | Byzantine | Coptic | Russian | Syrian |
|---|---|
| Western: | Ambrosian | Anglican | Beneventan | Celtic | Gallican | Gregorian | Mozarabic | Old Roman |
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