byzantine
what it is
Music from the Byzantine era, composed to Greek texts as ceremonial, festival, or church music. Greek and foreign historians agree that the ecclesiastical tones and in general the whole system of Byzantine music is closely related to the ancient Greek system. It remains the oldest genre of extant music, of which the manner of performance and (with increasing accuracy from the 5th century onwards) the names of the composers, and sometimes the particulars of each musical work's circumstances, are known.
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questions
What is byzantine?
Music from the Byzantine era, composed to Greek texts as ceremonial, festival, or church music. Greek and foreign historians agree that the ecclesiastical tones and in general the whole system of Byzantine music is closely related to the ancient Greek system. It remains the oldest genre of extant music, of which the manner of performance and (with increasing accuracy from the 5th century onwards) the names of the composers, and sometimes the particulars of each musical work's circumstances, are known.
What are good byzantine albums to start with?
Try Portraits of an Illustrative Mania by Fathomage, O gliki mou Ear by Fr. Nikodimos Kabarnos, Byzantine Ottoman Music in Constantinople / 13th c. - 18th c. by Petros Tabouris Ensemble, and Ancient Church Singing of Byzantine Georgia and Rus by Ensemble Sreteniye.
Who are some women making byzantine?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/byzantine/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making byzantine, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-19