Pregledni rad
Music in early Christianity. Highlihts of patristic literature
Anto Kovačić
orcid.org/0000-0003-4313-3420
; Franjevačka teologija, Sarajevo
Sažetak
This article presents the basic characteristics of the concept of music in Early Christian literature, and guidelines for shaping the musical practice in Early Christianity, in liturgy and outside. Notable characteristic of fragments on music in patristic literature is the controversy against heathen musical customs, especially against using musical instruments. Early Christian fathers almost unanimously excluded instruments from the usage in Christianity. However, instruments were integrated into theology as the device in allegorical interpretation and spiritual message. In theology, liturgical singing is seen as a spiritual sacrifice against frivolous blood and material victims of ancient religions. Monophony becomes a symbol and reflection of the unity of the Christian community in God, and, hence, the ideal of shaping the liturgical singing. The purpose of liturgical singing must not be an esthetic pleasure, because it brings into question the spiritual value of the act. Early Christian fathers entirely accepted the ancient stance of education in which the music was integral part, as educational subject of intellectual, rather than practical character. St. Augustine wrote the work called De musica, a treatise on music as educational discipline. In this work, he offers explanation on musical structures, and slowly reaches theological conclusions. Author of this article believes that the concept of music in Early Christianity sheds light on fundamental principles according to which the Gregorian chant developed. The importance of the Early Christian music comes from the importance of the role of Gregorian chant in the history of Western European music.
Ključne riječi
Early Christianity; Early Christian music; Early Christian singing; patristic literature; liturgical singing; spiritual sacrifice; monophony; Gregorian chant; heathen music; musical instruments
Hrčak ID:
79677
URI
Datum izdavanja:
11.4.2012.
Posjeta: 3.324 *