Hildegard created over 77 unique songs. She considered music the point where heaven and earth meet. She believed harmony to be more than the combination of voices and instruments, for her it represented the balance of body and soul, the interconnectivity of man with the universe. According to Hildegard, it is through music that we experience the paradise that once reigned as reality on earth. And by singing the liturgical chants we can gain access to the angelic choruses.
Hildegard and Medieval Music: A Conversation with Benjamin Bagby
Benjamin Bagby is the Director of Sequentia, one of the world’s most respected and innovative ensembles for medieval music. He was gracious enough to share a few moments with us to discuss his work, his inspiration, and his thoughts on the significance of medieval music as well as our namesake, Hildegard von Bingen. About Benjamin…
San Francisco Ordo Virtutum
Hildegard of Bingen’s Ordo Virtutum has experienced a renaissance in recent years. Several modern adaptations have appeared, one which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. In 2017, the San Francisco Renaissance Voices along with Diana Rowan and Deepak Ram expertly performed a Contemporary Ordo Virtutum.
A Contemporary Ordo Virtutum
This contemporary take on Ordo Virtutum, performed alongside Diana Rowan and the San Francisco Renaissance Voices, takes an interesting twist as it incorporates the sounds of traditional North Indian (Hindustani) classical music for which Deepak is famous.
Hildegard Music
Hildegard von Bingen remains unique in the history of music. There is no comparably large work of any composer in the twelfth century or before equal to Hildegard’s musical compositions.
Hildegard of Bingen Music
In America Hildegard is best known for her holistic approach to healing, her creative power and perhaps above all, for Hildegard of Bingen music.