Kim Patrick Clow wrote:
[re a greek word in a baroque score]
> What does the Greek symbol and word mean?
>
Dennis Bathory-Kitsz wrote:
Looks like psi, with the full word reading psalmos (psalm).
Exactly so!
But consideration of the meaning of 'psalmos' has long pricked my
musicolgical curiosity. Perhaps some members of this list, more
informed of liturgical practice than me, can satisfy it.
I should explain that in its full sense 'psalmos' does not specifically
denote a biblical text or the musical setting of the same; but more
generally denotes a mode of musical performance; and when applied to
text referred to a text which was to be sung; and sung most specifically
with the accompaniment of a harp.
My classical greek lexicon explains 'psalmos' in these terms
1. a pulling or twanging of musical strings with the fingers;
2. a strain or burst of music;
later meaning, a song sung to a stringed instrument; a psalm.
A closely related word is 'psalma' meaning explicitly a tune played on a
stringed instrument.
Another relative is 'psalter' meaning a harp player
These words derive from a verb 'psallo' meaning, iner alia,
to pull and let go again, to pull, twang with the fingers;
to play a stringed instrument with the fingers instead of with the
plectrum;
later meaning, to sing to a harp.
The liturgical tradition with which I am familiar does not include the
use of the harp; but, faced with this lexical evidence, I think I am
entitled to conclude that the depiction of angels playing harps is not
merely a charming painter's whim but a clear reference to an ancient
tradition of liturgical practice.
Assuming the harp did have its place in liturgy, I am curious as to
a) whether there are any extant religious traditions (Christian or
otherwise) in which the use of the harp remains an essential part of
liturgical practice; and
b) in the cases where it is no longer used, when and why did its use cease.
Kenneth K
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