HILDEGARD VON BINGEN

O Orzchis Ecclesia

1 ANTIPHONA O Orzchis Ecclesia 67 In dedicatione Ecclesiae (IV)

PSALMUS 94 AD INVITATORIUM Venite, exultemus Domino

2 I ANTIPHONA O coruscans lux 68 (IV)

PSALMUS 10 In Domino confido

3 II ANTIPHONA O pulchrae facies 38 De virginibus (IV)

PSALMUS 1 Beatus vir

4 III ANTIPHONA Nunc Gaudeant 57 In dedicatione Ecclesiae (VI)

PSALMUS 86 Fundamenta ejus in montibus sanctis

5 VERSICULUM Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis

6 BENEDICTIO I, LECTIO I De Libro divinorum operum

7 RESPONSORIUM I Nobilissima viriditas 39 Item de virginibus (VI)

8 BENEDICTIO II, LECTIO II De Libro divinorum operum

9 RESPONSORIUM II O vos imitatores excelsae personae (VI)

10 BENEDICTIO III, LECTIO III De Libro divinorum operum

11 RESPONSORIUM III O felix anima 64 (III)

12 ORATIO Deus, qui beatam Hildegardem Virginem tuam

Symphonia harmoniae caelestium revelationum

Ensemble San Felice / Federico Bardazzi

The religious Hildegard von Bingen was known as 'The Sybil of the Rhine' on account of her visions, translated into music with prophetic charisma. This disc presents two sides of Hildegard, an instrument and a mirror, reflecting her divine revelations, through the sound of her words both spoken and sung. The performances are from a specialised early-music ensemble, based in Florence, who have undertaken study of the original manuscripts and (perhaps more unusually) performed the music in public before making this testament to the art of one of music's most singular women, who is still perhaps more famed for her life than her music.

The beginning of the cult for the music of Hildegard von Bingen started with a CD of the British label Hyperion in the 80-ties and ever since it enjoys a huge popularity: the Mystic from the Middle Ages wrote heavenly music, which till today holds its spell over every audience, whether laymen or connoisseur.

The magic is unexplainable; one has to experience the power and beauty in solitude. Wonderful performance by the beautiful voices of Ensemble San Felice, accompanied by gothic harp, viol and organ. Full original texts of the music included.

Brilliant Classics 94273