Sanctus (Holy)

Hildegard von bingenSinger, composer, and inventor

of the Musical Drama

A quote about Hildegard

“For Hildegard, music was namely a mysterious echo of the heavenly spherical harmony that resounded with melodious sonority throughout Paradise before the fall of man. Music conveys to us an inkling of God’s magnificence. Music is the most beautiful way to praise God, for it originates in the human soul. The limited tone range of the Gregorian Chants was for Hildegard no longer sufficient enough to express her exultant love of God. She consequently composed her own melodies for the singing of psalms in her congregation – dramatically emotional, jubilant sequences of melody which testify to great musical talent.” – E. Breindl, (1983)

Hildegard was:

• Benedictine Abbess

• Artist

• Singer

• Composer/Lyricist

• Preacher/Religious authority

• Writer/Philosopher (sometimes used her own alphabet)

• Prophetess (visionary or oracle)

1098?-1179

Hildegard was formally canonized by the Roman Church and named “Doctor of the Church” by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.

Hildegard received Papal approval during her lifetime to document her visions from the Holy Spirit.

She was known for her healing powers and use of precious stones and plants.

Musical Works:

• 77 Chants, which included:Antiphons – One-line pieces of freely composed

text and melody. Sung before and after the Psalm.

Responsories – Sung after a scripture reading, freely composed text and music.

Sequences – sung between the Alleluia and Gospel reading. Dramatic poems in free verse.

Hymns – Devotional pieces.

• 1 Musical Drama “The Order of the Virtues”

Characteristics of her music:

• Emotive and passionate poetry and music

• Soaring melodies and large leaps with slow falling decline

• Angular melodies – frequent use of the ascending 5th interval followed by a 4th.

• Dramatic Flourishes – melismas and flowing melodies

• Marianne Pfau, Musicologist

Ordo Virtutum(Order of the virtues)

The struggle for a human soul

The virtues vs. the devil

Hidegard’s Music Drama

• Written in 1151

• First morality play ever written

• First complete music drama to survive with an attribution for both text and music.

• 17 solo female voices, female chorus, male chorus, and male spoken part (devil, cannot produce divine harmony)

• 82 different melodies