Essays on Music in the Byzantine World

In this companion volume to Essays on Music in the Western World, Oliver Strunk focuses on the area of study that has dominated his interest for the last thirty years—the chant and liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox church.

In twenty-two essays that comprise this collection, Dr. Strunk discusses aspects of musical development and style from late antiquity to that period of Byzantine history corresponding to the early Renaissance. His contributions in the study of medieval Slavic chants and Carolingian music, for examples, have served as pace setters for all who have done research in this field. Through the writings presented here, the craft and intellectual artistry of this extraordinary scholar are revealed. Kenneth Levy, a gifted Byzantine scholar and former student of Dr. Strunk’s, has provided a foreword that places this body of works in perspective. Taken in conjunction with the companion volume, these essays stand as a mighty testimonial to the stature of pre-eminent figure in American musicology.