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Coptic music is themusic sung and played in theCoptic Orthodox Church and theCoptic Catholic Church. It has some roots inancient Egyptian music and many elements of ancient Egyptian music continue to survive in Coptic liturgical music, with additionalByzantine andHebrew influences.[1][2] It consists mainly of chantedhymns in rhythm with instruments such ascymbals (hand and large size) and thetriangle. The percussion instruments used in the Coptic Church are unusual among Christian liturgies. Since similar instruments appear in ancient Egyptian frescoes and reliefs, some believe that they may represent a survival from a very old tradition. Coptic music is purely religious.
Coptic chant is an ancient tradition that has been linked to the musical practices of ancient Egypt.[3][4] One example is a hymn calledGolgotha sung on Good Friday, which may be derived from melodies used by ancient Egyptian priests during royal funerary rites.[5][6][7]
Coptic music has been transmitted orally over thousands of years, and only recently have manuscripts, musical notes and books been used to record the Coptic music.[8]
The most famous modern Coptic cantor is the lateCantor Mikhail Girgis El Batanouny, whose recordings have helped preserve and unify many ancientchants that otherwise would have been lost. They were recorded in Bohairic Pronunciation.