Cyprus Music: Soothes The Soul

"Music alone shall live," is one of the famous lines from one of the oldest songs. The line may sound so simple but the truth about the meaning that each word tells is reverberating endlessly. Such is the case of Cyprus music, which continues to behold anyone who happens to listen to it.

Since the time when the country became an exchange point of many cultural influences from different parts of the world, along with it is the development of Cyprus music. The continuous arrival of different groups of peoples, who hope to own the land and exploit its resources and benefit from the friendly weather condition that can be enjoy the whole year round, had somehow contributed to the extensive development of its culture in general and the Cyprus music in particular.

During the times when the country were under the rule of some of the world’s great and prominent men of history like Richard the Lionhearted for example had introduced music coming from different influences. Some of these influences were coming from Greece and Turkey, which two of the most dominant descendants of Cypriots. Other influences are from Armenia and France while few Arab and African countries ahs also contributed to the development of Cyprus music. It was during the period of 1359-1432 that the country became the center of Europe’s attention thanks to the coming of Richard the Lionhearted and the legendary Knights of Templar.

It was also during this same period that Pierre 1 of Lusignan spent a three-year musical tour to Europe. Along with him were other musicians who performed in Rheims impressing Charles V. They were given 80 pieces of gold francs as their token of appreciation. Upon the coming back of Pierre 1 to Cyprus he brought with him the famous French Ars Nova and sometime later he introduced the equally sought after Ars Subtilior. French musician who came to Cyprus had settled in Nicosia thereby making the city as the capital of Ars Subtilior.

The Greek Cypriots had been greatly influenced by their mother culture. This can be evidenced through the type of music that they have enjoyed for the longest time. In fact a typical wedding dance among Greek Cypriots would always feature music played with violin together with a guitar. On the other hand the Turkish Cypriots who have largely inhabited the northern portion of the island have their own share of developing Cyprus music. The city Kyrenia has been playing host to some of the notable classical performers from abroad and the locals.

With ever-dynamic exchanges of culture, Cyprus music has also embraced modern styles from different countries. Thus making true that music alone shall live.