Addressing the Modality of Church Melodies, According to the Variety in the Choice of the Isokratema. Case Studies

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the phenomenon of heterophony in Byzantine chant, exploring the technique of isokratema and how the modality of a melody can be affected by the selection of an isokratematic note (bordun tone). Specific examples of whole melodies or melodic phrases are examined by using respectively two or more versions of isokratema. These versions come either from recordings of isokratema in church melodies or voice recordings from in and out of the worship congregation and the oral tradition. Additionally, the selections of isokratema are analysed one by one in order to show how each example affects the modality of the melos as an octaechic behaviour on macrostructural level, as well as a movement of the notes on microstructural level. Finally, we examine the role of the modality of each example in the determination of the melody’s ethos, within the broader context of the meta-aesthetics of Byzantine chant.