Ion Alexandru ARDEREANU: Thoughts on the challenges of transcribing Byzantine notation into western (staff) notation

DOI: 10.63702/csembe.2025.1.8.07

Keywords: Byzantine Music; Byzantine Music Theory; Neumes; Byzantine Music Notation;

Abstract:

The transcription of byzantine musical notation into western (staff) notation is difficult, since the Byzantine system uses microintervals, qualitative signs, and rhythmic freedom that are hard to capture; solutions range from analytical transcriptions to simplified choral versions, but staff notation remains only an aid, with full understanding depending on oral tradition and authentic practice.

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