Hildegard von Bingen: Saints

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This two-disc set completes Sequentia's ambitious project to record the complete musical works of Abbess Hildegard von Bingen to commemorate the 900th anniversary of her birth in 1098. In this last release, Sequentia finally takes on some of the most recognizable pieces from "A Feather on the Breath of God," the legendary recording by Gothic Voices that began the Hildegard boom 15 years ago. While you can't say that the older recording has been superseded, this one holds its own quite nicely. Where Gothic Voices took a no-nonsense approach to rhythm, making all notes more-or-less equal in length, Sequentia sings with its typical rhythmic freedom--without slipping into the rhapsodic excess that sometimes marred their earlier Hildegard discs; the momentum and shape of melody are always clear. Speaking of rhapsody, Sequentia's co-director Barbara Thornton opens the recording with a transporting rendition of a Hildegard hymn to "God the Father." --Matthew Westphal

Tracks:

O Beata Infantia
Columba Aspexit
O Nobilissima Viriditas
O Cohors Milicie Floris Virge
O Viridissima Virga Ave
Hodie Aperuit Nobis
O Euchari
O Successores Fortissimi Leonis
O Successores (Instrumental)
O Bonifaci
O Speculum Columbe
O Presul Vere Civitatis
O Mirum Admirandum
O Vos Felices Radices
Mathias Sanctus Per Electionem

Album Description

O nobilissima viriditas is the third volume of The Complete Hildegard von Bingen, following Symphony of the Harmony of Celestial Revelations and Aurora, released in 1996 and 1999 respectively.

Hildegard von Bingen was born in 1098 as the tenth and last child of a noble family. In 1106 at age eight she was entrusted to Jutta of Spondheim's convent which was attached to the Benedictine monastery of Disibodenberg on the mountain of St. Disibod. After Jutta's death in 1136, Hildegard became abbess and she subsequently established her own convent on the Rupertsberg near Bingen in the late 1140s.

Although she had had visions since childhood, it was only after 1141, following a divine call, that she dedicated herself to document her visions in the book Scivias. During her mature life she produced a prolific and varied range of writings, including two more books of visions, and she continued to compose the music and the poetry of her songs.

At a time when few women were accorded respect, she lived to become a highly respected writer, poet, composer and visionary, much sought-after for her counsel by popes, regents and bishops.

Viriditas was to inspire some of Hildegard's most imaginative and passionate song poetry and music. Her lyrics are all in Latin and they abound with images from nature, using leaves, branches and flowers to communicate overlapping themes of energy, vigour, blooming, manhood, virginity and virtue.

Tracks:

To God The Father: O magne pater
To Saint Boniface: O Bonifaci
To Saint Disibodus: O mirum admirandum - Domini est terra
To Saint Disibodus: Instrumental Piece
To Saint Disibodus: O viriditas digiti dei
To Saint Disibodus: O beata infantia - Domine, Dominus noster
To Saint Disibodus: O felix anima
To Saint Disibodus: Instrumental Piece
To Saint Disibodus: O presul vere civitatis

Tracks:

To Saint Maximinus: Columba aspexit
To Saint Maximinus: Instrumental Piece
To Saint Ursula: O Ecclesia
To Saint Ursula: Spiritui sancto
To Saint Matthew: Mathias, sanctus per electionem
To The Holy Widows: O pater omnium
To Saint Eucharius: O Euchari, columba virtutem illius
To Saint Eucharius: O Euchari, in leta via ambulasti

Amazon.com

This two-disc set completes Sequentia's ambitious project to record the complete musical works of Abbess Hildegard von Bingen to commemorate the 900th anniversary of her birth in 1098. In this last release, Sequentia finally takes on some of the most recognizable pieces from "A Feather on the Breath of God," the legendary recording by Gothic Voices that began the Hildegard boom 15 years ago. While you can't say that the older recording has been superseded, this one holds its own quite nicely. Where Gothic Voices took a no-nonsense approach to rhythm, making all notes more-or-less equal in length, Sequentia sings with its typical rhythmic freedom--without slipping into the rhapsodic excess that sometimes marred their earlier Hildegard discs; the momentum and shape of melody are always clear. Speaking of rhapsody, Sequentia's co-director Barbara Thornton opens the recording with a transporting rendition of a Hildegard hymn to "God the Father." --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

another essential Hildegard discs.......2002-02-20

My first introduction to Sequentia's versions of Hildegard was Canticles of Ecstacy, which still best defines musically, for me, the soaring visions and mysticism of Hildegard. Much of this sense is to be credited to the female voices of Sequentia, not only exceptional in quality but specifically not "sweet" or self-conscious or hovering toward modern, as in other ensembles (e.g., Gothic Voices or Anonymous 4). Beautiful as these latter voices are, one can take exception to the "angelic" label if one remembers that medievals saw angels as both terrifying and beatiful, and Sequentia evokes the awe and strength of angelic sounds like no one else (to my knowledge) recording Hildegard. Happily, the female voices in Saints are as soaring, challenging and beautiful as ever.

Though entirely correct historical scholarship, Saints has more male voices than female (separate, of course); the men's ensemble, called Sons of Thunder, is as strong and persuasive as any male performers of medieval vocal, and parallel the women's voices in removing any trace of self-consciousness. But while they are excellent, the male tones will be reminiscent of traditional Gregoran chant, of ecclesiastical music, not quite capturing the soaring mysticism of the female voices. Perhaps this is "built-in" to the two voices and their personalities. But I, for one, prefer the female voices, especially when Saints is meditative music for non-active listening.

Instrumental interludes, composed by a Sequentia member, are refreshingly authentic and quite welcome in the progress of the discs. They are carefully crafted to the sense of Hildegard's compositions and another reason why Sequentia's versions are unsurpassed.

Wonderful music to meditate by........1999-07-23

Mystical and etheral, this music has become my favorite during quiet meditation or contemplation. It seems to speak directly to that part of us which strives to transend the static of physical existence, and longs to know the infinite.

Time of the Dawn: Medieval & Renaissance Music

Average customer rating:

Time of the Dawn: Medieval & Renaissance Music

Manufacturer: Christophorus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Codex Faenza: Instrumental Music of the Early 15th Century

ASIN: B00003A9N8
Release Date: 1999-11-30

Average customer rating:

Hildegard von Bingen: Symphoniae

Manufacturer: Deutsche Harmonia Mun
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000026NDI
Release Date: 1989-01-01

Tracks:

O Quam Mirabilis Est
O Pulchrae Facies
O Virga Ac Diadema Purpurae Regis
Instrumental Piece
O Clarissima Mater
Instrumental Piece
Spiritui Sancto Honor Sit
O Virtus Sapientiae
O Lucidissima Apostolorum Turba
Instrumental Piece
O Successores Fortissimi Leonis
O Vos, Felices Radices
Instrumental Piece
Vos Flores Rosarum

900 Years - Hildegard von Bingen / Sequentia

Average customer rating:

Ecstasy!
A Collection to Treasure

900 Years - Hildegard von Bingen / Sequentia
Hildegard von Bingen , and Sequentia
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000B9MS
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

Canticles Of Ecstasy: O vis aeternitatis
Canticles Of Ecstasy: Nunc aperuit nobis
Canticles Of Ecstasy: Quia ergo femina mortem instruxit
Canticles Of Ecstasy: Cum processit factura digiti Dei
Canticles Of Ecstasy: Alma Redemptoris Mater
Canticles Of Ecstasy: Ave Maria, O auctrix vite
Canticles Of Ecstasy: Spiritus Sanctus vivificans vite
Canticles Of Ecstasy: O ignis spiritus Paracliti
Canticles Of Ecstasy: Caritas habundat in omnia
Canticles Of Ecstasy: O virgia mediatrix
Canticles Of Ecstasy: O virdissima virga, Ave
Canticles Of Ecstasy: Instrumental Piece
Canticles Of Ecstasy: O Pastor Animarum
Canticles Of Ecstasy: O tu suavissima virga
Canticles Of Ecstasy: O choruscans stellarum
Canticles Of Ecstasy: O nobilissima viriditas

Tracks:

Voice Of The Blood: O rubor sanguinis
Voice Of The Blood: Favus distillans
Voice Of The Blood: Laus Trinitati
Voice Of The Blood: In Matutinis Laudibus: 1. Studium Divinitatis; 2. Unde quocumque; 3. De patria; 4. Deus enim; 5. Aer enim volat; 6. Et ideo puellae; 7. Deus enim rorem; 8. Sed Diabolus
Voice Of The Blood: O Ecclesia
Voice Of The Blood: Instrumental Piece
Voice Of The Blood: O aeterne Deus
Voice Of The Blood: O dulcissime amator
Voice Of The Blood: Rex noster promptus est
Voice Of The Blood: O cruor sanguinis
Voice Of The Blood: Cum vox sanguinis
Voice Of The Blood: Instrumental Piece
Voice Of The Blood: O virgo Ecclesia
Voice Of The Blood: Nunc guadeant materna
Voice Of The Blood: O orzchis Ecclesia

Tracks:

O Jerusalem
O Jerusalem: Quia felix puericia - Magnificat - Quia felix puericia
O Jerusalem: O felix apparicio
O Jerusalem: O beatissime Ruperte
O Jerusalem: Instrumental Piece
O Jerusalem: O tu illustrata
O Jerusalem: Cum erubuerint
O Jerusalem: O frondens virga - Gloria Patri; Ave, generosa
O Jerusalem: O quam preciosa
O Jerusalem: O ignee spiritus
O Jerusalem: Instrumental Piece
O Jerusalem: O quam magnam miraculum est

Tracks:

Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): O quam mirabilis est
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): O pulchrae facies
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): O virga ac diadema purpurae regis
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): Instrumental Piece
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): O clarissima mater
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): Instrumental Piece
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): Spiritui Sancto honor sit
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): O virtus sapientiae
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): O lucidissima Apostolorum turba
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): Instrumental Piece
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): O successores fortissimi leonis
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): O vos, felices radices
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): Instrumental Piece
Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs): Vos flores rosarum

Tracks:

Ordo Virtutum: Prologue: Qui sunt hi, qui ut nubes?
Ordo Virtutum: Processional Of Embodied Souls
Ordo Virtutum: Scene 1: O nos peregrine sumus
Ordo Virtutum: Anima Processional
Ordo Virtutum: Scene 1 (Cont'd): O dulcis divinitas
Ordo Virtutum: Anima Processional
Ordo Virtutum: Scene 1 (Cont'd): O gravis labor
Ordo Virtutum: Instrumental Dance - Tanz
Ordo Virtutum: Scene 2: Ego Humilitas
Ordo Virtutum: Instrumental Dance

Tracks:

Ordo Virtutum: Interlude: Symphonia: O quam magnum miraculum
Ordo Virtutum: Interlude: Symphonia: O felix anima
Ordo Virtutum: Interlude: Symphonia: O quam mirabilis
Ordo Virtutum: Instrumental lament - Klageweise
Ordo Virtutum: Scene 3: Heu! Heu! nos virtutes plangamus
Ordo Virtutum: Scene 4: Que es, aut unde venis?
Ordo Virtutum: Finale: In principio

Tracks:

Saints: To God The Father: O magne pater
Saints: To Saint Boniface: O Bonifaci
Saints: To Saint Disibodus: O mirum admirandum; Domini est terra
Saints: Instrumental Piece
Saints: O viriditas digiti dei
Saints: O beata infantia; Domine Dominus noster
Saints: O felix anima
Saints: Instrumental Piece
Saints: O presul vere civitatis

Tracks:

Saints: To Saint Maximinus: Columba aspexit
Saints: To Saint Maximinus: Instrumental Piece
Saints: To Saint Ursula : O Ecclesia
Saints: To Saint Ursula : Spiritui Sancto
Saints: To Saint Mathias: Mathias, sanctus per electionem
Saints: To The Holy Widows: O pater omnium
Saints: To Saint Eucharius: O Euchari, columba virtutem illius
Saints: To Saint Eucharius: O Euchari, in leta via ambulasti

Amazon.com's Best of 1998

For all the effort put behind the Hildegard von Bingen revival in the past decade, no one has been as persistent as Sequentia. They capped their Hildegard cycles in 1998 with the two-CD set Saints and then this eight-CD collection. Nowhere else can you get such a focused study, showing exemplary growth in vision and polyphonic presentation. The music isn't flashy, but it's inventive in methodical steps and an abiding sense of vocal textures that sounds multidimensionally complex and still categorically engrossing. --Andrew Bartlett

Amazon.com

Founded in 1977 in Cologne by Barbara Thornton and Benjamin Bagby, Sequentia set out in the early 1990s to document the entire catalog of Hildegard Von Bingen's music. They've completed the Hildegard cycle, and this eight-CD box collects the results in a solid, handsome cube--perfect for the bookshelf. The beauty of the music is undeniable and has wowed listeners since Canticles of Ecstasy set an international community of listeners on a path of discovery in 1994. The big bonus now is that you can skip over the periods of wowed seduction that will follow the inaugural listen, and take in the entire collection of single- and double-CD issues Sequentia has devoted to Hildegard's music. The recordings (and obviously the repertoire) are not particularly new, of course, but Sequentia has taken Hildegard to places no previous interpreter reached. Firstly, the group has been absolutely methodical with Hildegard, reaching always for the goal of a large collection of CDs by the 900-year anniversary of the composer's birth. Second, they've refined and perfected their take on Hildegard since first presenting this music almost 20 years ago. They've found smoother lines of execution--not to make the music in any way easier for listeners but rather in better proportion to Hildegard's philosophically well-proportioned vantage on music, spirituality, and life. Thus we have the collection of spiritual songs, Symphoniae, which relay earthly and celestial being to the polyphony of multiple voices and musical threads woven into the songs. We also have the breathlessly beautiful two CDs of Ordo Virtutum, a not-uncommon near-operatic corollary to medieval morality plays. This collection allows both newbies and committed fans the opportunity to work their way through hours and hours of musical bliss. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Ecstasy!.......2001-04-28

This is a wonderful collection of CDs. The early music includes plain song, male and female chant, and instrumental pieces. The package is gorgeous with Bizantine fresco art work on each jewel case. For those contemplating purchase, the group is composed of previous releases: Canticles of Estacy, Voice of Blood, O Jerusalem, Symphoniae, Ordo Virtutum, and Saints. These total $117.28 if you buy them individually so there is a real savings here. Those who are new to early music are in for a treat. This is music so old it is new, and as has been said, could be music of 900 years into the future. It is so other worldly, you are easily put into a meditative state. There is enough music here to fill your whole day with ecstasy.

A Collection to Treasure.......2000-08-16

When my daughter was born about a year ago I initiated the project of collecting some of the "better music" for her, fearing that if she was only exposed to my preferred music she'd end up being a bass player in a biker band someday. I started with the Mozart piano concertos, then went to lots of Bach and other Baroque masterpieces, even ventured into some Wendy Carlos, with her "Turned On Bach." I cringe to think how much I've spent in the last year, although I must say that the investment has been worth every penny. We actually have neighbors occasionally knocking on our door wanting to know what the music is which we are playing. It seems there is an untapped market for higher music. Well, suffice it to say that I was linked to this "900 Years" set from some other CD which I was contemplating and for some reason I was tantilized, without really knowing exactly what to expect.

This music is divine, total heaven on plastic. It is prolonged euphoria. The ambience is so pervasive that it just seizes you, totally centers your focus, lifts your imagination. Without degenerating into too many additional cliches, let me just suggest that this music gives me a tremendous sense of well-being, a feeling which seems to be more elusive to me as the years go by.

I've only played it through two times in the past month since I received it, as it is quite lengthy and I don't want to desensitize myself to it. I listen to it in the morning when I'm first waking up. It brings me blissfully out of the twilight of my dreams into the vast possibilities for a new day. If one doesn't listen closely a superficial criticism may emerge that the CD's all sound similar. Play them again when you can focus more on the music and this concern will disappear. I will mention as well that if you don't have a one year old running your household, as I do, this music will be absolutely perfect for you and your favored one to listen to in front of the fireplace.

I don't have a sufficient command of the lexicon of this type of music to properly describe it to you: what comes to mind are floating feminine voices, clear resonant stringed instruments, it does indeed seems like the music of a thousand years ago, a thousand years from now. This is the music of eternity. I haven't yet read the substantive brochures which are enclosed respectively in each of the "jewel" cases, I'm afraid they may alter my interpretation of the music. If you're into that type of thing, however, I will mention that this is the best "packaged" box set I've yet purchased (of probably around 100). Each CD box has an outrageously beautiful piece of medieval art on it which perfectly compliments the music.

My daughter? She likes it, even she seems meditative when it plays. I envision it activating all types of neurological pathways in her adorable little head. I shall concede, however, that she is still cuter when she is dancing playfully to Metallica.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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