Russian choral music of the X-XVI centuries

Russian choral music of the 10th – 16th centuries is an important layer that serves as the basis for the further development of Russian music and culture as a whole. At the previous stage of development – in ancient Russia – folk art played a dominant role in society, since developed secular forms of professional music simply did not exist. Even among the upper feudal layers and in the prince’s court, one could hear folk songs distributed by representatives of song traditions – buffoons. DEVELOPMENT OF SPIRITUAL SINGING Everything has changed with the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in 988 and, as a result, the strengthening of ties with Byzantium. These events greatly influenced the further cultural development of our state. In contrast to folk song, church music developed, which at first was subject to the strong influence of Byzantium. Spiritual chants were recorded in Church Slavonic. Continue reading →