
List of Byzantine composers

The Byzantine Empire lasted from AD 395 to 1453, during which various musical styles arose; even after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 the Byzantine musical tradition continued in the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople through figures such as Panagiotes the New Chrysaphes, Petros Bereketis, Petros Peloponnesios, and Chrysanthos of Madytos as well as Serbians such as Kir Stefan, Isaiah, Nikola and Kir Joakim. Both sacred and secular music were commonplace, with sacred music frequently used in church services and secular in various events including, ceronmonies, dramas, ballets, banquets, festivals and sports games. However, despite its popularity, secular music was continuously criticized by Church Fathers, chief among them: John Chrysostom, Tertullian, Cyprian, Clement of Alexandria, Gregory Nazianzen, Basil the Great, Ambrose, Augustine of Hippo and Jerome.
Composers of sacred music, especially hymns and chants, are well documented throughout the history of Byzantine music. The first major form was Kontakion, of which Romanos the Melodist was the foremost composer. In the late 7th century the kanōn overtook the Kontakion in popularity; Andrew of Crete became its first significant composer. The Kañon reached its peak with the music of John of Damascus and Cosmas of Maiuma and later Theodore of Stoudios and Theophanes the Branded in the 8th and 9th centuries respectively. John of Damascus may have also been responsible for the development of Octoechos.
Composers of secular music are noticeably less documented. Not until late in the empire's history are composers known by name, with Joannes Koukouzeles, Xenos Korones and Joannes Glykys as the leading figures. 