Orality Aspects of the Transylvanian Plainsong

Orality Aspects of the Transylvanian Plainsong gives an overview of the peculiarities associated with the evolution of the Romanian plainsong in Transylvania, where simplification, diatonization, and noticeable stereotypy in the rather requent adaptation of the melodic formulae characteristic for the Orthodox plainsong were prompted by adjustment to the liturgical requirements of the congregation rather than by musical necessities. Exemplified on the development of the musical versions recorded for the first time by Dimitrie Cuntanu towards the end of the past century the paper reveals folklore as one major aspect of that orality.

Vasile Grăjdian