Ancient Hymn in Cuneform

Subject: Ancient Hymn in Cuneform
From: CapriUni
Date: 13 May 06 - 03:29 PM

A friend of mine posted this link in her LiveJournal, and I wanted to share it here:

Music from 3400 years ago--ancient Syrian melody transcribed in cuneiform. (There's a midi link, too).

The essay on the webpage is basically an advertisement for the author's book, but it makes an interesting argument for the case of harmony in ancient music, nontheless.

Or at least, Ithought it was interesting, but I don't know much about music theory and chords. I know several folks around here know a lot more.

Subject: RE: Ancient Hymn in Cuneform
From: Helen
Date: 13 May 06 - 06:24 PM

Thanks for the link, CapriUni. I have sent a message to the Harplist as well. They will love the pictures and be interested in the information too.

Can you give me a hint as to where the midi link is on the page. I can't find it (domestic blindness kicking in, I suppose. :-)    )

Helen

Subject: RE: Ancient Hymn in Cuneform
From: Bill D
Date: 13 May 06 - 06:41 PM

I don't think that midi link is there any longer

Subject: RE: Ancient Hymn in Cuneform
From: Helen
Date: 13 May 06 - 07:27 PM

I found it. In the text it says to click on the music score to hear the midi. I saved it and opened it up in Noteworthy and then changed the instrument to a harp instead of that annoying screechy sounding "instrument". I don't know whether there would originally have been more variation in note lengths or whether what you hear is what was actually intended. Interesting, though.

I'd like to know what the words of the hymn were so I'm going a'Googling to see if I can find out.

Helen

Subject: RE: Ancient Hymn in Cuneform
From: Helen
Date: 13 May 06 - 07:54 PM

Here are a couple of mp3's The second one by Monzo is more soothing - almost "New Age" (everything ancient is New again, eh?). Instead of the jerky repetition of each note it sounds like it has been interpreted as sustained notes.

I've found heaps more info on the 'Net. I'll have to have a proper look at it and see what I can find out.

Helen

Subject: RE: Ancient Hymn in Cuneform
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 May 06 - 08:37 PM

Thanks, CU. I have sent the link to my brother, a classical composer, who, I am sure, will be quite interested.

Thanks, Helen, for the links to the midis. I couldn't get the one on the original page to work.

kat

Subject: RE: Ancient Hymn in Cuneform
From: CapriUni
Date: 13 May 06 - 10:43 PM

Glad you guys liked the article. I particularly liked the points he made about the ancient illustrations of musicians clearly playing harmony; I think even most trained singers would have trouble singing melodies with jumps that big, note to note.

I was also impressed with the illustration of the piper at the bottom of the page, playing two pipes, with two different sets of holes, at the same time.

(and I thought patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time was hard!) ;-)

Subject: RE: Ancient Hymn in Cuneform
From: CapriUni
Date: 14 May 06 - 11:55 PM

After looking at those ancient pictures of musicians again, I'm starting to wonder:

How did the theory that ancient music had no harmony or chords get so deeply entrenched?