ORIGINALITY OF APPROACH TO THE PSALMODIC MELODY IN LITURGY IN THE PSALMODIC STYLE BY PAUL CONSTANTINESCU

Abstract

“Liturgy in the Psalmodic Style” by Paul Constantinescu is the expression of an original style based on the archaic Byzantine melody. This is concert music which differentiates it from the other liturgies created by Romanian composers for the Orthodox Church. The approach to the psalmodic melody in the harmonic-polyphonic context is an original one, the fusion is achieved by skilfully combined methods, thus we can notice Paul Constantinescu’s ability to synthesize the two-musical direction – the western and the eastern. The polyphonic choral composition fully enforces the Byzantine melodies, and the modal harmonies used are a bridge between the two musical systems – the tonal functional one and the eighth mode one in the psalmodic music. The techniques, such as the accompaniment, the modulation according to the wheel principle, the rhythm supporting the word are specific for the Byzantine melody, but they are integrated in the mixt choral texture proposed by the composer without diminishing their value or purpose. On the other hand, the strict or liberal imitation and the modal or tonal-functional harmony of the psalmodic melodies do not affect the richness of the Byzantine language; on the contrary, they enrich it. The Romanian spirituality is reflected in the composer’s musical creation, although he managed to by an universal musician through his widespread musical language.