Melismatic Elements in Heirmologic Chants from the 16th to the 19th Century

Studying the Heirmologion of Petros Peloponnesios (2nd half of the 18th century) in its New Method exegesis by Gregorios Protopsaltes (early 19th century), one finds the existence of sporadic extensive melismas that stand out in the otherwise neumatic texture of the melody (duration of 2-4 beats per syllable). In this article, we examine the notational ancestors of these melismas, reaching the time of Theophanes Karykes (2nd half of the 16th century), trying to detect their melodic evolution by period and by composer. Our analysis led us to form a hypothesis for the interpretation(s) of the Old Method that combines elements from the two existing conflicting theories (stenographic Vs metrophonic). We also developed the concept of "generalization" as a fundamental mechanism of the interaction between orality and written tradition.