Johannes Caioni


Johannes Caioni was a Transylvanian Franciscan friar and Roman Catholic priest, musician, folklorist, humanist, constructor and repairer of organs of Romanian origin.

Biography

Caioni was born in Kiskaján, in the Principality of Transylvania. He was raised in Kolozsvár and Csíksomlyó. He was of a noble family — Caioni's aunt was the wife of a garrison commander in Csíkszereda. Through her connections, he was admitted in the Franciscan monastery of Csíksomlyó.
Caioni studied with the Jesuits in Kolozsvár, and continued his studies in Csíksomlyó. In 1647, he became a friar, and continued his studies in Nagyszombat, training in music. He was ordained in 1655. Subsequently, he lived in Csíksomlyó, Gyergyószárhegy, and Mikháza. He died in Gyergyószárhegy and was buried, in accordance with his last wish, in an unmarked grave.

Works and legacy

A Renascentist and precursor of the Age of Enlightenment in Transylvania, he is best known for his most important works:
His mentioning of the traditional Călușari dance in his musical notations makes this among the first to have ever recorded the custom.
In 1675, Caioni founded a printing press in Csíksomlyó, printing both his works and textbooks for the local Franciscan school. His Cantionale Catolicum went through four editions—1676, 1719, 1805 and 1806. The press was noted for serving the cultural needs of Roman Catholics in the Székely Land and neighbouring Moldavia. It was later used by Hungarian revolutionaries of 1848 to print their Hadi Lap'' newspaper, and other publications.

Music

Bucharest: Electrecord, 1995.