Znamenny Chant

Kriuki (or znamena, “banners”) are symbols used in the Russian Church’s non-linear musical notation. They trace their origin to early Byzantine notation. Each kriuk represents one, two, three, or even more tones. There are three main systems for fixing melodies: the proper kriuk system, the popevka system, and the fita system. In the 17th century, cinnabar markings began to be…

When people speak of Old Believer chant, they often narrow its meaning by referring only to znamenny chant. In reality, Old Believer chant is a much broader concept. In an Old Believer church, one may hear simple recitative chant, chant “according to the tone” in keeping with the ancient principle of the oktoechos (eight-tone system), and of course znamenny chant itself,…