Peter the Byzantine (
fl. 1770 – 1808), also known as Petros Byzantios (Greek: ''Πέτρος Βυζάντιος''), and "the Fugitive", was a Greek composer and scribe. A pupil of
Peter the Peloponnesian, he served the
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as
Domestikos ''Domestikos'' (; el, δομέστικος, from the la, domesticus, , of the household), in English sometimes heDomestic, was a civil, ecclesiastic and military office in the late Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire.
Military usage
The ''dom ...
(c. 1771–1789),
Lambadarios
A lampadarius, plural ''Lampadarii'', from the Latin ''lampada'', from Ancient Greek "lampas" λαμπάς (candle), was a slave who carried torches before consuls, emperors and other officials of high dignity both during the later Roman Republi ...
(1789–1800), and
Arch-cantor (1800–1805).
Biography
![HPIM2955](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/HPIM2955.jpg)
Peter the Byzantine was born near
Constantinople
la, Constantinopolis ota, قسطنطينيه
, alternate_name = Byzantion (earlier Greek name), Nova Roma ("New Rome"), Miklagard/Miklagarth (Old Norse), Tsargrad ( Slavic), Qustantiniya ( Arabic), Basileuousa ("Queen of Cities"), Megalopolis ( ...
in
Yeniköy of
Bosphorus. There, he began studying music and quickly became a virtuoso of the
pandouris and the
Arabian flageolet (ney). Peter rose to a number of prominent positions in the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, known at that time as the "Great Church of Christ," culminating in his appointment as Arch-cantor in 1800. However, he was sacked by
Patriarch Callinicus V of Constantinople
The highest-ranking bishops in Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, the Catholic Church (above major archbishop and primate), the Hussite Church, Church of the East, and some Independent Catholic Churches are termed patriarchs (and in certain ...
in 1805, due to his second marriage, which was not allowed for a cantor. Peter fled to
Kherson, hence his name "the Fugitive", and from there to
Iași, where he lived until his death in 1808.
Music
Alongside his teaching role, Peter was known for his contributions to the field of
chanting, both as a composer and in his explanations of old chantings. He completed both known books of Peter the Peloponnesian, the ''Anastasimatarion'', composing the missing ''Kekragaria'' with the incidental Stichologia, and the ''Heirmologion of Katavasies'', adding Heirmoses standards for several holidays. He also pointed at the outset the ''Short Anastasimatarion'' and most importantly, for the first time, the ''Short Heirmologion''.
[First publication, Constantinople (1825)] He composed many chantings of ''Priests' Art'' (Greek: ''Παπαδική''), such as the ''Κοινωνικά των Kυριακών'' (three stops) and some of the ''Ενιαυτός'', eight
Cherubic Hymns in all modes,
Doxologies, two
Theotokia
A Theotokion (; pl. ) is a hymn to Mary the Theotokos (), which is read or chanted (troparion or sticheron) during the canonical hours and Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches, as well as in the praises of the Ori ...
, eight ''Timioteres'' (Greek: ''Τιμιωτέρες'') for all modes, the ''Νεκρώσιμος Άμωμος'', and some others. His compositions are distinguished by their simplicity and frugality, and he sang his chants, as noted by
Chrysanthos of Madytos Chrysanthos of Madytos ( el, Χρύσανθος ὁ ἐκ Μαδύτων; c. 1770 – 1846) was a Greek poet, chanter, Archimandrite, and Archbishop, born in Madytos. In preparation of the first printed books of Orthodox chant, he was responsible fo ...
: "with orderliness, concern, and the appropriate pace of chanting."
[''«εις το εύτακτον μάλλον αφορών και εις το εύρυθμον της ψαλμωδίας»'' – " Theoretical Mega" by ]Chrysanthos of Madytos Chrysanthos of Madytos ( el, Χρύσανθος ὁ ἐκ Μαδύτων; c. 1770 – 1846) was a Greek poet, chanter, Archimandrite, and Archbishop, born in Madytos. In preparation of the first printed books of Orthodox chant, he was responsible fo ...
, page LIII
Manuscripts
Peter the Byzantine copied and expounded many manuscripts. His detailed explanations followed the notation system of Peter the Peloponnesian, simplifying them for contemporary use. He was able to explain many chantings, both older and more recent, including:
* ''Άνωθεν οι προφήται'' (grave mode) by
John Kukuzelis
John Koukouzelis ( gr, Ιωάννης Κουκουζέλης, ''Ioannis Koukouzelis''; ) was a Byzantine composer, singer and reformer of Byzantine chant. He was recognized as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church after his death. Among the mos ...
* ''Tη υπερμάχω'' (plagal of 4th mode) by
John Kladas
* ''Θεοτόκε Παρθένε'' (
octoechos
Oktōēchos (here transcribed "Octoechos"; Greek: ;The feminine form exists as well, but means the book octoechos. from ὀκτώ "eight" and ἦχος "sound, mode" called echos; Slavonic: Осмогласие, ''Osmoglasie'' from о́с ...
) by
Petros Bereketis
Petros Bereketis ( el, Πέτρος Μπερεκέτης) or Peter the Sweet (Πέτρος ο Γλυκής) was one of the most innovative musicians of 17th-century Constantinople (Ottoman period). He, together with Panagiotes the New Chrysaphes, ...
Many of his works have been preserved. Some are dated between the years 1773–1806, while others are undated. There are also multiple copies of his copies of the works of Peter the Peloponnesian, as well as numerous anthologies of ''Priests' New Art'' (Greek: ''Νέα Παπαδική'').
Works
* ''Heirmologion'' by Peter the Peloponnesian
* ''Short Heirmologion''
* ''Anastasimatarion'' by Peter the Peloponnesian
* ''Short Anastasimatarion''
* ''Doxastarion'' by Peter the Peloponnesian
* ''Doxastarion'' by Jacob the Arch-cantor
Contribution
Due to this teaching and his work in the area of chanting, as well and his copying and explanations of older works, Peter the Byzantine remains one of the most important musicians in the second great period of prosperity (1770–1820) of the new church chanting.
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Peter the Byzantine
Byzantine composers
Composers from the Ottoman Empire
Greeks from the Ottoman Empire
Greek composers
Greek musicians
Eastern Orthodox liturgical music
1808 deaths
Year of birth unknown
Male classical composers
1770 births
18th-century Greek musicians
19th-century Greek musicians
19th-century Greek educators
18th-century Greek educators
19th-century Greek writers
18th-century Greek writers
19th-century male musicians
Constantinopolitan Greeks
Musicians from Istanbul
People from Sarıyer