THEME: Melody of Prayer- The Meaning of the 8 Tones

by Fr. Richard Andrews

March 17

Plagal 4th Tone and Conclusion

Items Needed- Green Hymnal, Lawrence Hymnal, Apolyikia & Kontakia Book by Fr. Evagoras C., Keyboard,
photocopies of scale and Byzantine notes, Cycles of Worship handout, Eastern Fathers Concerning Psalmody
handout & summary of Byzantine Sacred Music & Hymnology.
Categorize Hymns by Tone, Holy Week Book;
Chant Theos KyriosGod is the Lord It is one of the few hymns that is sung in all eight tones (like Kyrie
Ekekraxa, Tin timoteran, Pasa pnoe), it will be very helpful to us in comparing the different characteristics in each
tone.
Review:
Tone One, which is called Dorian by the ancient Greeks, is distinguished by a magnificent, happy, and earthy
character.
Tone Two is called Lydian by the ancient Greeks, is distinguished by a languid, moving, and graceful character. It
can inspire majesty, gentleness and hope, or repentance and sadness.
Third Tone is called Phrygian by the ancient Greeks, has an almost arrogant, brave, and mature air.
Fourth Tone- Called Mixolydian by the ancient Greeks, possesses a festive, dancing flavor, is joyous and capable
of expressing deep piety.
Plagal First Tone- called Hyperdorian by the ancient Greeks, is derived from Tone I. Plagal means to change or
alter. This tone is stimulating, dancing, and rhythmical.
Plagal Second Tone Called Hypolydian by the ancient Greeks, it is distinguished by its rich texture, funeral
character, and generally sorrowful tone.
Varis or Grave Tone- Called Vareis, meaning grave in Greek, was known as Hypophrygian by the ancient
Greeks and is distinguished by a manly character and strong melody.
Plagal 4th Tone- Aka incorrectly as Tone 8, it is called Hypomixolydian by the ancient Greeks. This also favorite
tone of the Church This tone creates an air of humility, tranquility, and repose, expressing in many cases suffering
and pleading.
At the end of each of the eight Tones in the Paraklitiki there is a short set of doggerel lines describing the
characteristics of the Tone in question.
Seal of the tones, O Plagal of the Fourth, As bearing in yourself all fairest sounds. You broaden out the ranges of
the songs, The final flourish of the Tones, and end. As limit in both notes and voices pitch, Limit of sound I call you
twice, and end.
Hymns- Resurrectional Apolytikion- Ex Ypsous KatelthesFrom on high GH89; Kontakion of Lent- Tn
YpermachoTo you as champion GH98; Compline- Kyrie twv DynameonLord of the powers GH112;
Canon of the Cross Stavron charaxas Moises, the Troparion for the Holy Fathers Yperdedoxomenos
XristeUnending glory KL170-71; and the Troparion of Pentecost Eulogetos n Xriste o TheosMost Blessed
Art Thou GH115; St. Gregory Palamas Orthodoxias o FostirLight of Orthodoxy KL132-35; St. John
Climacus Tais ton dakryon souLike warm and gentle rain KL136-39; St. Mary of Egypt En soi meterIn
you holy mother KL140-42; Kontakion Pascha Ei kai en tafoInto the grave KL274-77; Kontakion of
Pentecost Ote katabasWhen He came down KL280-81
Lower Tetrachord (Ne) Slower Melodies: Funeral- Meta ton AgionAmong Your Saints GH123 & Aionia
n MnemeEternal Memory GH124
??? Koinonika or Communion Hymns Tou Deipnon SouOf Your mystical supper GH97; Soma
ChristouBody of Christ GH104; Lytrosin ApesteileThe Lord has sent GH106; St. Basil Liturgy Epi
soi xaireiIn you o woman KL298-301
First Tone: Baptism-Osoi Eis XristonThose who have been baptized GH109; Vespers- Kyrie
ExkeraxaLord I call GH119; Megalynarion Pascha O aggelos eboaThe Angel Cried KL304-07
Varis Tone: Artoklasia- Plousioi EptocheusanWealthy can become poor GH116

Conclusion
Web Resources:
http://www.goarch.org/multimedia/isos/isosfall1999
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octoechos
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_music
http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Intro.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatonic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enharmonic_genus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_genus
http://holycrossonline.org/our_ministries/parish_ministries/chant/byzantine_chant/
http://www.anastasis.org.uk
http://www.theologian.org/chant/
www.liturigica.com
http://stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Index.html
http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/NotationB.htm
http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Epilogue.htm
http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Inton-new.pdf
http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Links.htm
http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Armonion.pdf
http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/encyclical.pdf
www.analogion.com
http://www.anastasis.org.uk/liturgic.htm
http://byzantine.orthodoxwomensnetwork.org/
http://www.christopherklitou.com/downloads_services.htm
http://www.churchmusic.goarch.org
http://www.newbyz.org/
http://analogion.net/glt/
http://www.musicale.gr/byzantina/ymnoi/index1_en.html