#4684, Dreams and Visions of Hildegard
Hear the hugely influential music of Hildegard von Bingen - a German abbess, composer, mystic, and writer who wrote unusually florid, sensual melodies in the mid-to-late 1100s - in modern arrangements and new works. Listen to contemporary guitarist Sean Shibe and singer Daisy Press in arrangements of Hildegard's music. Plus, hear saxophonist Chet Doxas together with sound artist Micah Frank in improvisations on Hildegard’s music, and even composers Bora Yoon and Alejandro Viñao creating their own music based on the sonic realm and the spirit of Hildegard.
Hear an adaptation of Hildegard’s music from Scottish classical guitarist Sean Shibe, who plays a black Mexican Fender Stratocaster fed through some cosmic effects pedals for what NPR calls a psychedelic swirl of celestial light — a kind of "star-way to heaven," (NPR Music). Also, listen to New York singer Daisy Press, and her new recording of 12th century songs by the German abbess and composer Hildegard of Bingen. Her arrangements are built on slowly shifting drones, which suits the music, reflects her interest in Indian raga, and keeps the longer songs from getting stuck in one sonic place.
Then, there’s music from Korean-American Bora Yoon arranges Hildegard von Bingen’s 12th Century melody, “O viridissima virga,” into her ominous and disorienting electronic sound-world. Also, listen to improvisations on Hildegard from Brooklyn-based saxophonist, clarinetist and composer Chet Doxas and New York based electronic sound artist Micah Frank. They take Hildegard’s work as a point of inspiration, then head off on their own. Plus, listen to a work based on music by Hildegard by Argentinian-born, British composer Alejandro Viñao for soprano and computer. And more. - Caryn Havlik
Program #4684, Dreams and Visions of Hildegard
ARTIST: Gothic Voices
WORK: Hildegard: O viridissima virga [1:30]
RECORDING: Hildegard of Bingen: A Feather on the Breath of God
SOURCE: Hyperion #66039
INFO: Available at Amazon.com
ARTIST: Sean Shibe
WORK: Hildegard: O Coruscans Lux Stellarum [4:59]
RECORDING: Lost & Found
SOURCE: Pentatone
INFO: seanshibe.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Sean Shibe
WORK: Hildegard: O Coruscans Lux Stellarum [4:59]
RECORDING: Lost & Found
SOURCE: Pentatone
INFO: seanshibe.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Daisy Press
WORK: Hildegard von Bingen: Ave Maria O Auctrix Vitae [9:17]
RECORDING: You Are the Flower: Music from Hildegard von Bingen Vol. 1
SOURCE: StorySound Records
INFO: storysoundrecords.com
ARTIST: Micah Frank & Chet Doxas, Featuring Mary Lattimore
WORK: Ave Maria [6:17]
RECORDING: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen Part 1
SOURCE: Puremagnetik
INFO: micahfrank.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Bora Yoon
WORK: O viridissima virga [10:25]
RECORDING: Sunken Cathedral
SOURCE: Innova 880
INFO: innova.mu
ARTIST: Alejandro Viñao / Frances Lynch
WORK: Alejandro Vinao: Hildegard's Dream, for soprano & computer [12:24]
RECORDING: Hildegard's Dream
SOURCE: INA C 1015
INFO: vinao.com
