St. John Koukouzelis

1270-1340

The church of Eastern and Western Europe split, irrevocably in 1054. At the time religious music to accompany services (liturgical music) was plain song and relatively simple in construction.

As the musical accompaniment to the liturgy became more complex, so the two churches developed a distinct style.

By the 14th century there is, to my mind at any rate, there was a substantial divergence between western Christian liturgical music, and that of the Eastern Orthodox.

Where the Western Church was becoming increasingly complex with multiple voices and ornate harmonies, The Eastern Church preserved a deeper, you might almost say darker, contemplative style.

This is epitomised in the liturgical music of St John Koukouzelis. Much of what has been written about his life is uncertain. The dates he lived between are at best an educated guess.

What little we do know is that he was born into poverty his musical talents secured a place at the court of the Eastern Empire in Byzantium. However he departed the court to take up the contemplative life on Mouth Athos in modern day Greece.

His music is entrancing. This piece below is Protect, O Most Glorious. Can you hear echoes of the Islamic call to prayer in the harmonies? There is for me a similarity with some Sephardic music too.