Bingen, Hildegard Von

Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy

Average customer rating:

Simply awe inspiring and amazing
Ecstatic Music, Ecstatically Performed.
canticles of Ecstay
Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstacy
Devine Music For Tranquil Hearts

Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Feather on the Breath of God
Hildegard von Bingen: Voice of the Blood
Vision: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen
Hildegard von Bingen: Heavenly Revelations
Luminous Spirit

ASIN: B000001TYF
Release Date: 1994-12-13

Tracks:

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

Amazon.com

Although Hildegard von Bingen's music has been around for 900 years--and recordings of her music for decades--it seems that only now, as we approach the turn of another millennium, the time is right for the world to pay attention. In this first-rate traversal of her music--the most popular of several volumes released by the early-music ensemble Sequentia--we hear music that resulted from Hildegard's legendary visions, which often included song texts that she subsequently collected and dispensed to her religious community of women. As rendered here by the voices and instruments of Sequentia, her music invokes an unobscured sense of mystery, conforming to Hildegard's belief that music was our bridge to the harmonies of the heavens. Whether or not we're experiencing that "heavenly harmony" here, the simple, direct, beautifully turned melodies, sung by pure, finely tuned, warm-colored women's voices, often eerily accompanied by an instrumental drone, is heavenly enough. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Simply awe inspiring and amazing.......2007-05-20

One would have to listen to this music to understand the power it will hold over you. Ethereal and almost eery, yet full of power, grace and triumph, this will be a mainstay in your collection. The only thing resembling it that the mass public would be aware of is Gregorian Chant, although this is it's own beast and so much more. It's not expensive, buy it and see for yourself.

Ecstatic Music, Ecstatically Performed........2007-05-13

I had first heard this performance of St. Hildegard of Bingen's "Canticles of Ecstasy" on sound cassette and loved it.

The music is sublime. The female voices are heavenly, without a hint of sentimentality.

When you listen to "Canticles of Ecstasy" you will know how this medieval nun and composer felt about things.

Caution. They could make a believer of you.

canticles of Ecstay.......2007-03-23

This is a very good CD I highly recomend it if you love chant. I am glad to have it in my collection.

Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstacy.......2006-07-25

This CD will transport you to another space and truly put you in touch with the sublime! If you are a massage therapist,I recommend it for use during your sessions. Anyone can use it as part of his or her meditative spiritual practice regardless of your particular faith.

Devine Music For Tranquil Hearts.......2006-02-23

I have searched through many composers, performers and albums... in search of this one sound. It only existed in my heart and mind until Hildegard von Bingen's work was recorded by this talented group. This music makes you feel like you are floating on your back - in the ocean - staring at the moon.

Vision: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen

Average customer rating:

A very different style of Hildegard
ONE WORD- 'AWSOME"
Very different. Hauntingly beautiful
"Every Element Has A Sound" ~ Heavenly Visions Of A Medieval Mystic
SUPERB MODERN CLASSIC

Vision: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen
Richard Souther , Emily van Evera , and Sister Germaine Fritz
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy
Feather on the Breath of God
Hildegard von Bingen: Voice of the Blood
Hildegard von Bingen: Heavenly Revelations
Luminous Spirit

ASIN: B000002SL6
Release Date: 1994-11-01

Tracks:

Praise For The Mother
Only The Devil Laughed
Vision
Song To The Mother
The Living Light (Instrumental)
Wherever
For The Virgin
For The Creator
This Honorable Fame
The Anointing (Instrumental)
For The Trinity
The Chalice
Divine Love
The Flower Gleams
From This Wicked Fall
Living Fountain
Vision: Full Length

Amazon.com

"Vision--The Music of Hildegard von Bingen"? Make that "Hildegard--the Dance Remix." (Yes, it has been used on the dance floor of at least one New York City nightclub.) What else can you call it when Richard Souther takes the stark, ecstatic plainchant of the 12th-century abbess and adds heavily produced electronic trance-and-dance tracks? Souther's additions aren't bad in themselves--they are a bit New Age-y, yet danceable in a druggy 3:00-a.m. kind of way--but slather them over Hildegard's spare, intense chant melodies and the effect is perverse, if not just silly. Don't blame poor Emily van Evera--she is a fine interpreter of Hildegard, and EMI simply asked her to record some unaccompanied solo tracks of the abbess's music and send in the tapes; she had no idea what was going to be done with them until this disc came out with her name on it. This shows up in the final product: the gently fluid pulse van Evera applied to Hildegard's music (which would make perfect sense in the a cappella performance she thought she was giving) feels completely disconnected from the rigid rhythms inherent in Souther's electronic accompaniment. Now, there are a number of customer reviews, below, from listeners who like this title a great deal--have a look at them, check out the sound clips, and by all means get this title if you're interested. But, if you're curious about Hildegard, go to the recording that made her famous eight centuries after her death: A Feather on the Breath of God. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

A very different style of Hildegard.......2007-01-30

This CD isn't quite the shining example of Hildegard's music, but it isn't dissapointing either. The new-agey music and the chanting go well together, but at times the mix is a little akward, and it is those moments when it seems that the vocals are just stamped on top of the music that takes away from this album. Otherwise, the music is pretty rich and conjures epic and heavenly images. I'd have to side with the 'purists' on this one: if you're a stickler for authentic sounding Hildegard music, go for the other albums such as Luminous Spirit because this one might come across as a little weird.

ONE WORD- 'AWSOME".......2006-12-15

I have been a fan of music since before I was born it seems- I have almost all of her music- but this is the star on the night sky- people keep trashing this album /cd- I think this is the best of her visions/music and if you want to be swept away on clouds of tone and dance with angels of light then BUY this cd- I love to darken the house , light the candles and let this one spin again and again- listen closely to " for the virgin' it will make you want to play this over and over again-also this entire cd was recorded in the catacombs- how spiritual is that, music/thought/words/visions from years turned to dust and stone- may this cd bring you back to a time when the world was innocent and gentle/have played this along with Enigma and people can not get enough of this cd!!!!!!!!!!

Very different. Hauntingly beautiful.......2006-03-01

I bought VISION, THE MUSIC OF HILDEGARD VON BINGEN without even hearing it first. I couldn't resist the album's cover art and the premise of recording the chants of a 12th century nun with modern original scores. I was delightfully surprised at how well the experiment works. The tracks are absolutely beautiful and haunting. In listening to one of the chants accompanied by an almost jarring drum beat, I felt as if I were dropped deep into a dense African jungle where a safari of large powerful natives are escorting small white hooded nuns to some mysterious lost city. A very different, very intriguing, very fine work.

"Every Element Has A Sound" ~ Heavenly Visions Of A Medieval Mystic.......2006-01-29

Hildegard Von Bingen (1098-1179), 12th century Benedictine nun, abbess and mystic wrote some of the most heavenly spiritual chants, psalms and canticles in the history of the Catholic Church. Compositions that are so unique and universal in appeal that they were embraced by the 'New Age Movement' more enthusiastically then they were originally by her own Church.

Similiar yet subtly different from the lofty, remote gregorian chants sung in the monastery, the music of Hildegard is much more accessible. Her experience of the 'Divine Mysteries' is conveyed in more emotional and earthy tones, thus linking the higher aspirations of the soul with the passionate nature of the human heart.

'Vision' was performed and recorded within the stone walls of St. Andrew's Church in Toddington, England, an almost perfect location to capture the medieval atmosphere of Hildegard's compositions. The female voices involved in this project are a sharp and welcome contrast to the all male gregorian choirs most of us are more familiar with.

Truly a mystical musical experience has been captured on these 17 exquiste tracks. For the spiritual seeker in all of us!

SUPERB MODERN CLASSIC.......2005-10-26

SOARING, ETHEREAL voices are followed by haunting, vaguely Middle Eastern new age sound. HILDEGARD meets ENIGMA. It works. The purists make no room for this kind of interpretation of Hildegard but I remind you that the Louvre built a separate museum to house the Impressionist art not because they were so valued but because they did not consider it serious art and would not put it under the same roof with the classics. Time made buffoons of them. Listen to the sound clips and judge for yourself.

The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen

Average customer rating:

A Wonderful CD
Great music; interesting group
My humble opinion.....
Completely beautiful
The Origins of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen

The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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1000: A Mass for the End of Time / Anonymous 4
American Angels
La Bele Marie: Songs to the Virgin from 13th-Century France
Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King
Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy

ASIN: B0006OBW8E
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

Hymn - Veni Creator Spiritus
Sequence - Veni Spiritus Eternorum
Antiphon - O Quam Mirabilis Est
Vision 1 - The Fire Of Creation
Vision 1 - The Fire Of Creation
Sequence - O Ignis Spiritus Paracliti
Vision 2 - Wisdom And Her Sisters
Vision 2 - Wisdom And Her Sisters
Responsory - O Felix Anima
Vision 3 - The Fiery Spirit
Vision 3 - The Fiery Spirit
Hymn - O Ignee Spiritus
Vision 4 - Love
Vision 4 - Love
Antiphon - Caritas Habundat In Omnia
Antiphon - O Eterne Deus
Hymn - Beata Nobis Gaudia

Amazon.com

The bad news is that this is Anonymous 4's final recording. The good news is that it's one of their best. Aside from a pair of brief 9th-century chants that flank the main program, the disc focuses on the music of Hildegard von Bingen, the 12th-century Benedictine nun whose liturgical works broke new ground in their visionary texts, rich imagery, and melodic range. The selections here relate to themes associated with the Holy Spirit--the fire of creation, wisdom, the life-giving spirit, and love. The imagery of Hildegard's visionary texts is replete with references to the basic elements--air, earth, fire, and water. The results are boldly original, at least within the restricted confines of chant, which offer compelling listening experiences as performed in the lustrous tones of Anonymous 4. The program includes a pair of Hildegard's most-rhapsodic extended visionary pieces, the consoling "O spirit of fire, bringer of comfort," and "I am the great and fiery power," whose soaring opening musical lines still can shock. Harmonia Mundi, as usual, captures the purity of Anonymous 4's singing in vivid sonics and provides deluxe production values, including a profusely illustrated booklet, with full texts and translations. --Dan Davis

<B>Interview with Marsha Genensky of Anonymous 4</B>
<img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/artists/anon4b.m.jpg" border="0" align="left">Anonymous 4's Marsha Genensky speaks about the ensemble's swan song in our special interview.

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful CD .......2007-04-29

I own 13 A-4 discs and this is my second favorite, after On Yoolis Night. The recording sounds a little muddy and they do, uncharacteristically take some liberties with the translations, but .... This was recorded in a real chapel (as were most of their later releases) and the extensive liner notes are, as usual, present. The presentation and delivery are among the best that A-4 have ever done. These 4 ladies each have wonderful voices that blend together magnificently. If you are an A-4 fan, you need to own this.

Great music; interesting group.......2007-01-05

The music of Hildegard Von Bingen is, without question, some of the most important we have from the Middle Ages. This album has a very capable set of performances by Anonymous 4, but the drawback is the very sameness of sound to each and every track. Yes, they sing well, but where is the variety of timbre? Where are the percussion instruments that have been used in other recordings and performances of these works? They could have used some help from some men's voices, too. Otherwise, it's perfectly recorded, but with repeat listenings becomes more trying.

My humble opinion............2005-12-28

I gave this CD an above average rating. I did so because this is the 3rd CD that I have purchased from Anonymous 4 and to be quite honest they all sound the same to me. I personally feel that the style of Hildegard is heavy, crisp, intentional and complicated. It is unique compared to other styles of anicent choral music. Anonymous 4 has a very light, airy almost contemporary feel to whatever they sing. In the CD insert Anonymous 4 goes on to express how they prepared to sing the medeival music in latin with a German accent because that is where Hildegard was from, and that this is how she would have sung her music. But honestly I don't think one can tell. Like I said, this is my third CD from them and they all sound the same. Don't get me wrong ladies. You 4 have gorgeous voices but I have found that the albums by Sequentia that sing in Hildegard's von Bingen tradition to be more authentic. I recommend to those interested to try Chanticles of Extasy by Sequentia or any of Sequentia's albums. You'll understand what I mean after you compare them for yourselves.

Completely beautiful.......2005-11-08

This musical is relaxing uplifting, simple yet complicated. A total mental experience filled with beauty.

The Origins of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen.......2005-08-14

If you enjoy the music of Anonymous 4, you'll be thouroughly impressed with this presentation of Hildegard's music to God. Excellent is not enough praise for this interpretation.

Hildegard von Bingen: Heavenly Revelations

Average customer rating:

Amazing, but not what I was looking for
Outstanding music and performances!
Hildegard von Bingen: Heavenly Revelations ~ Hildegard of B
STERENCE SINGS FOR EUCHARIUS AND DISIBOD
delightfully pure

Hildegard von Bingen: Heavenly Revelations

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy
Hildegard von Bingen: Voice of the Blood
Vision: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen
Luminous Spirit
Feather on the Breath of God

ASIN: B00000141Q
Release Date: 1995-07-18

Tracks:

O Euchari
Alleluia - O Virga Mediatrix
Ave Generosa
Laus Trinitati
Kyrie
O Presul Vere
O Ignis Spiritus
Procession From 'Ordo Virtutum'
O Pastor Animarum
O Viridissima Virga
O Virga Ac Diadema

Customer Reviews:

Amazing, but not what I was looking for.......2006-10-06

I bought this album to explore more tracks by Hildegard after listening to one of her songs on an anthology. This music crosses centuries, languages, and religions, I feel. I am not a Christian, and the reason I listen to Georgian Chant is to study, because it focuses my thoughts exponentially. It completely drowns out the noise of the world and helps to gather my ideas. This did not get 5 stars because it wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted to hear tracks with a mixed gender choir but this album only goes from single male/male choir to single female/female choir, on alternating tracks.

This is still an excellent study aid and should be recommended for use as much as pencils and pens.

Outstanding music and performances!.......2005-08-31

The music in this CD is simply outstanding! I was very surpised when I bought this CD and discovered that it surpasses many other more "colourful" recordings of Hildegard's music (regardless of the price.)

For those who are not interested in aesthetic, artistic or musical merit but who are simply looking for "relaxing" music for contemplation, meditation etc, I am very pleased to say that this is probably the most relaxing and peaceful music I've ever heard (and I've tried many.) Its healing effect on my mind and nervous system is almost instant and that in a very balanced and harmonious way.

Highly higly highly recommended.

Hildegard von Bingen: Heavenly Revelations ~ Hildegard of B.......2005-05-11

To the modern ear and mind Hildegard of Bingens sounds very different. There are no instruments and the vocals are sung in unison and not as seperate to vocals but united as one. This might sound simplistic and many would say that because she lacked formal training. This is based on feelings rather logic and one can sense that they are jelous of her natural ability to write music. The lyrics are amazing, the vocals are not as easy to sing as they sound and Hillegard of Bingen was and is still today an amazing composer and lyricist.

STERENCE SINGS FOR EUCHARIUS AND DISIBOD.......2004-01-26

It was a distressing surprise to find that my Oxford Companion to Music does not even contain an entry for Hildegard of Bingen. I had half-heard some broadcast discussion of her a few years back, but anything I know about her really comes from the liner notes with this disc, fortunately among the better specimens of their kind that I have encountered recently.

Hildegard was abbess of a distinctly upmarket Benedictine convent located near Bingen-am-Rhein in the early 12th century. She was clearly a formidable woman, being a seer and visionary consulted by Popes and potentates, a writer on scientific matters and a poet and composer as well. This disc contains 55 minutes or so of selections from her `Symphony of the Harmony of Divine Revelations', a collection of poems in her own highly individual and vigorous version of the Latin of the time, set to her own music. The music has a distant resemblance to the Gregorian chant, believed to have originated around the 8th century. It is all monody, though some of the numbers are accompanied by a sustained background note, originating exactly where and how I could not be sure. The music contains some flourishes that would have been out of place in the plainsong but which seem natural enough in the context of her spiritual-carnal imagery. This can be downright weird here and there. My recollection is still boggling at

Nunc sit laus Deo
In forma pulchre tonsure
Viriliter operante

`Now let there be praise to God in the form of a beautiful tonsure working in manly mode'.

There is an excerpt from her musical morality-drama the Ordo Virtutum, in which an assemblage of Virtues battle with the devil for control of a woman's soul, but most of the numbers are in praise of either the Trinity, the Blessed Virgin, or saints Eucharius and Disibod. I have not in my life so far encountered anyone named after these saints, but one of the admirable Oxford Camerata rejoices in the first name Sterence, so I suppose there may be some Eucharii and Disibods out there too. The words are given in full, with English translation, both absolute essentials as far as this music is concerned. The liner note is admirably honest in refusing to take a critical position regarding the real quality and worth of such unfamiliar stuff, and I propose to follow its example. I bought this disc for curiosity, for my own education and out of a general wish to support the production of out-of-the-way music. Rating it in the matters where I feel competent to rate it, I am happy to report that the singing is of the highest order of professionalism, exactly what one has come to expect from any Summerly production, and that the recording is admirable too.

delightfully pure.......2000-04-02

for someone interested in early music this is a good place to start- von bingen's visions speak to us across nine centuries.

liner notes are minimal, as is the case with most NAXOS titles, but lyrics in latin and english are provided, which is nice.

oxford camerata is amazing- many of the solo sections for female voice soar with great beauty. the choice of recording location (chapel of hertford college, oxford) adds a tiny bit of acoustic abience without being distracting.

Tracks:

De Profundis - Nova Schola Gregoriana
Alleluia - O Virga Mediatrix - Oxford Camerata
Gloria - Oxford Camerata
Pavane - Red Byrd
Canon - Capella Istropolitana
Vivace - Grave - Capella Istropolitana
Prelude - Laurence Cummings
Allegro - Takako Nishizaki
Adagio - Miroslav Kejmar
Air On The G String - Capella Istropolitana
Hallelujah Chorus - Scholars Baroque Ensemble
Menuetto: Allegretto - Capella Istropolitana
Andante - Failoni Orchestra
Allegro - Capella Istropolitana
Adagio - Jeno Jando
Andante - Ernst Ottensamer
Quis Est Homo - Hungarian State Opera Chorus

Tracks:

Ave Maria - Ingrid Kertesi
Un Bal - Pinchas Steinberg
Wedding March - Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Minute Waltz - Idil Biret
Larghetto - Alexander Rahbari
Ride Of The Valkyries - Uwe Mund
Prelude - Alexander Rahbari
Hungarian Dance No.3 - Budapest Symphony
Scene - Ondrej Lenard
Slavonic Dance No.1 - Balazs Szokolay
Nimrod - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Clair De Lune - Keith Clark
Also Sprach Zarathustra (Opening) - Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Prelude In C Sharp Minor - Idil Biret
Fountain Of The Villa Medici At Sunset - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Overture - Bournemouth Sinfonietta
O Fortuna - Slovak Philharmonic Chorus
Playful Pizzicato - Bournemouth Sinfonietta
Violin Concerto - Adele Anthony

Amazon.com

Is it a two-CD set with a particularly thick booklet, or a 562-page book with a compilation album attached? Either way, the unpretentious text by Keith Anderson offers an introduction to the lives and works of dozens of composers, together with recommended recordings from the Naxos and Marco Polo catalogs. Anderson includes a useful 59-page glossary of musical terms and an extensive listing of classical pieces used in films. The odd thing about the 36 extracts and complete pieces on the CDs is that they do not form an A-to-Z at all. Rather, they are arranged chronologically, from 1,000-year-old Gregorian chant to the opening movement of contemporary composer Philip Glass's Violin Concerto. Between these two points is the early music of Palestrina and Byrd; the Baroque glories of Vivaldi and Bach; the 19th-century Romantic masters, from Beethoven to Tchaikovsky; and such 20th-century greats as Rachmaninov and Stravinsky. Opera, song, and chamber music are barely represented, but only so much can fit into 151 minutes. Essentially a deluxe sampler of the vast Naxos catalogue, the discs offer a good introduction to some of the most famous and melodic music ever composed, while the book will be very useful to newcomers to the potentially confusing world of classical music. --Gary S. Dalkin

Album Description

A-Z of Classical Music is a remarkable 562-page, illustrated bok, detailing the lives of all the great composers as well as many less known, but equally fascinating, musical masters. Like the Naxos range of recording itself, A-Z of Classical Music is a rich source of inspiration for anyone either just embarking on a lifetime of musical enjoyment or for whom classical music has long been a way of life. Included within is an extensive glossary of musical terms plus a unique guide to classical music used in acclaimed films. Two-and-a-half hours of the finest music from across the centuries are contained in the accompanying CDs.

Customer Reviews:

LETTER PERFECT CLASS(ICAL) ACT!.......2003-01-19

It's only natural we sometimes hit the high seas....make that Cs. This is one box set about which we sing praises. This set features more than two hours of the finest music from across the centuries by such composers as Schubert, Chopin, Mozart, Handel, Stravinsky and Glass. The set also comes with a 562-page illustrated book, detailing the lives of hundreds of composers, a
glossary of musical terms and a unique guide to the classical music used in 360 top films.

Great Tracks -- Great Value -- Great Book, Who Can Complain?.......2002-08-30

Naxos is a fabulous label -- you will not get samples of the best classical music through the ages at no better price. These tracks are as good as any of the over-priced major orchestras and in some cases better. This is a great starter set for a beginner or anyone who just wants to "taste" the classics. If you prefer Opera I would suggest the A to Z of Opera -- most of the tracks on A to Z Classical are orchestral. I was so impressed with this collection that I purchased the Discover the Classics Vol's 1-3 which will give you a more detailed look at the great classics. Take a look at the Naxos web site at NAXOSUSA.COM -- what you will see will blow your mind -- there are literally thousands of pieces that you could listen too!

At this price, how can one complain?.......2001-09-30

This is pretty much a CD version of a mini-Naxos and Marco Polo catalog. All the pieces and extracts are ordered chronologically on the 2 CDs and are of very acceptable quality, but don't expect excellence in every track. Personally, I was particularly disappointed with one of my favourite Pachelbel pieces. The Naxos Canon & Gigue lacks all the emotion of my favourite versions.

Still, any possible weaker performances are of little importance after you get your hands on the fat booklet with over 500 pages. The booklet offers a short intro about the great composers, a glossary of musical terms, a list of works used in films and dozens of illustrations of several composers.

Overall, at this price, this is a must-have pack for any beginner, and might be useful for the occasion "quick check" of the work of many composers. Do not expect many detail, nor references to all the works of some composers; I often got frustrated with the lack of detail in some cases, but in general, the booklet is very effective for a quick reference.
You will need more titles that offer more complete information, and you won't truly learn to love classical music just by reading it, but it is small and compact.

It really puzzles me why Naxos did not include a full index of composers, a serious omission. To find a particular composer you will have to look for it yourself in over 500 pages. Also, the separation of the text is not so good, making the search even a bit slower. The lack of the index is truly annoying and I am sure it will be corrected in future editions.

Even with a few weaker pieces and the lack of the index, at this price, there isn't much to argue about. This is truly a bargain that you should not miss. I would also recommend the A-Z of Opera, which offers a bigger booklet with over 700 pages, focusing on opera works and mentioning several composers that are absent from the A-Z of Classical. That other booklet has a very complete index, and much clearer text layout and separation, that's the way both booklets should have been designed.

Tracks:

Flame And Vision
Sapientie
O Tu Illustrata
Et Ideo
Virdissima
Battle and Aftermath
Gloria Patri
Lux Vivens
Deus Enim
Clarissima
Orzchis
Caritas
Kyrie
Hodie
Alleluia

Amazon.com

This recording of 12th-century mystic Hildegard von Bingen's music is a sheer delight, a beautiful collection of compositions for which the Benedictine nun (considered a saint, although never formally canonized) claimed divine inspiration. Listening to singer Jocelyn Montgomery's gorgeous renditions, that's easy to believe. Lushly produced by David Lynch, Lux Vivens has a clarity and presence of sound that does the material justice. The accompaniment itself is fairly thin, confined to sparse instrumentation and the inclusion of crashing waves, wind, tolling bells, or birdsong; this allows the beauty of the melodies themselves to shine through unimpeded. The selections include both secular ("Battle and Transition," "Et Ideo") and sacred ("Gloria Patri," "Kyrie"), though it's the melodies that capture the listener's ear. Enchanting and often otherworldly, Lux Vivens is a listening experience that's both subtle and sublime. -- Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

The Divine Flame Within ~ Finding The Place Of Rest And Refreshment .......2006-04-01

'Lux Vivens' (Living Light) is nothing less than a mystical journey into the medieval spirituality and soul of Hildegard von Bingen. Performed by Jocelyn Montgomery who possesses a voice worthy of a solo position in the heavenly choir, you will be entranced by this beautiful -15 track- CD's exploration of Hildegard's interior world.

With limited instrumentation, Jocelyn is accompanied by the sounds of nature as provided by David Lynch; gentle rain, storm and thunder and birds chirping in the trees. One track even includes the sound of charging horses and swords clashing.

A great way to unwind at the end of the day, or prepare oneself for a spiritual respite in the middle of the everyday madness.

"Living Light" : the title says it all.......2005-12-07

So I'll admit that I purchased this album simply because of the fact that David Lynch(and don't forget his absolutly amazing partner is soundscape,John Neff)was involved,and also after reading the reviews here on amazon.I got EXACTLY what I expected,turned up a notch!This is the type of synth work I can honestly say doesn't sound much like synth at all,and it fits perfectly as a puzzle peice into this work.I like the two non-vocal tracks;the first(Flame and Vision) is a stupenous introduction to the music,lighting the fuse of this slow-burning masterpeice.The second would be a bit off-putting if the precise clarity of the swords wasn't as evident;one definate plus to having a film-maker with Lynch's expertise aboard to lend his fine-tuned ear.Ms. montgomery's performances of the Von Bingen classics can be summed up as subdued,yet magnificently triumphant! She is right up to par with such greats as Dawn Upshaw,Azam Ali(haven't heard that one,eh?DO NOT HESITATE to investigate this very talented new voice!),Jennifer Charles,Gigi,you name it.The manner in which she eases into uplifting(but not over-the-top)shows experience beyond her years,indeed.I cannot understand why so many "midevil"and"naturalist" individuals have refered to the album as a slap-in-the-face to their respective genre,the synths are barely existant! All I can tell you is that if I could only bring three albums to a campfire in the wilderness sitting by myself,I'd instantly choose this classic,Buckethead's "Electric Tears",and the Kronos Quartet's "Salome:Dances for Peace"(although "Black Angels" would also be tempting).

Music to sooth the savage pagan.......2003-11-05

I'm a pagan, but I can hear in this music something very special that transcends all the horror the RC church has visited on this planet. But the RCs have a very quirky history, especially when it comes to their "mystics". Indeed, a great many of the Catholic saints and mystics are ecclesiastical and hyper-dimensional enough to impress a nature-worshipper like me. The purity doesn't need a label. This particular version of von Bingen is a stroke of luck in that a modernist like David Lynch can actually climb out of his absurdist, Samuel Beckett-esque toilet long enough to do something that approaches this delicacy and sublimity. Still, seeing a Lynch film and listening to this CD is mental whiplash. I consider 2 pieces on this CD to be some of the best music I've ever encountered: "Viridissima" and "Clarissima". Especially "Clarissima". If I could only have one CD worth of music, Montgomery's "Clarissima" would be on it.

A Feather on the Breath of God.......2003-10-23

Sure, Miranda Sex Garden was a wonderful group who delivered their music with a sly wink. Not so Jocelyn Montgomery & David Lynch with Lux Vivens. Hildegard was a genius, mystic & the founder of a spiritually & politically powerful abbey. Her music, while complex in expression, is composed to be sung with unadorned simplicity. If this music is performed outdoors where bells are ringing & birds are chirping, that's ambient sound. Here it just gets in the way. If this is where you first encounter Hildegard of Bingen, that's great. But do move on to the recording that began it all, "A Feather on the Breath of God," featuring Emma Kirby, a musician who specializes in early music & who probably inspired Montgomery to form a group like Miranda Sex Garden in the first place.

Lynch's musical concepts are showcased best on the Twin Peaks soundtrack & the ethereal Julie Cruise album, "Floating Into the Night."

Bob Rixon

One of kind CD.......2002-10-11

I love this CD. It's so enrapturing and beautiful. Unlike the Enigma stuff, which is filled with cheesy drum beats, "Lux Vivens" is just Jocelyn's amazing voice combined with moody music and some sound effects (by David Lynch no less!). The result is absolutely brilliant. My only gripe with this CD is that there should have been more music. I never wanted the CD to end.

Tracks:

O rubor sanguinis
Favus distillans
Laus Trinitati
In Maututnis Laudbus
O Ecclesia
Instrumental Piece
O Aeterne Deus
O dulcissme amator
Rex nostoer promptus est
O Cruor Sanguinis
Cum Vox Sanguinis
Instrumental Piece
O Virgo Ecclesia Instrumental Piece
Nunc Guadeant Materna
O Orzchis Ecclesia

Customer Reviews:

Highest Quality Hildegard.......2005-09-28

Sequentia's entire series of Hildegard recordings is inspired, but there is a rather inarticulable quality to this cd that somehow soars even higher. It is apparently a result of the centrality of the Ursula stories, here musically illustrated, to Hildegard's entire conception of herself as a pledged virgin and artisan, and the freedom she found within that role to allow her gifts to fly as high as they could for the glory of God. Nor, in our terms, was it any sort of solo act: Hildegard stood quite consciously at the pinnacle of a vast supporting structure of devotion, prayer, sacred order and art.

Absolutely divine........1999-10-26

"My husband and I first encountered this CD in our local library. It's one of those encounters that transformed our life. Listening to it almost daily, while we're getting ready for the day, while we're working on our computers, or while doing the dishes, has helped us have an experience of the divine no matter where we are or what we're doing. Ever since we were introduced to the work of St. Hildegard of Bingen, we have read quite a bit about her and her works and are truly grateful to this great soul for what she has given our world. This CD is a great introduction to the world of Hildegard, together with another fine CD, Feather on the Breath of God."

The Complete Hildegard von Bingen, Volume One: Symphony of the Harmony of Celestial Revelations

Average customer rating:

The Complete Hildegard von Bingen, Volume One: Symphony of the Harmony of Celestial Revelations

Manufacturer: Celestial Harmonies
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Complete Hildegard von Bingen, Volume Two: Aurora
The Complete Hildegard von Bingen, Volume Three: O Nobilissima Viriditas
Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy
Hildegard von Bingen: Voice of the Blood
Feather on the Breath of God

ASIN: B0000007YO
Release Date: 1996-08-13

Tracks:

Honey And Milk Beneath Her Tongue (Dripping Honeycomb-Favus Destillans)
Ursula's Virgins (Et Ideo Puelle)
The Devil's Suggestion (O You Who Are Illumined-O Tu Illustrata)
Place Of The Ancient Heart (O You Angels-O Vos Angeli)
Zeal Of Divinity (Studiium Divintatis)
O Fiery Spirit (O Ignee Spiritus)
Red River Falling (O Rubor Sanguinis)
O Orzchis Ecclesia
Living-Light Angels (O Gloriosissimi Lux Vivens Angeli)
The Clouds Are Grieving (Our King Is Swift-Rex Noster Promptus Est)
The Firstwoman (Deus Enim In Prima Muliere)
From Their Homeland (De Patria)
But The Devil Mocked (Sed Diabolus In Invidia)
Song To Ecclesia (Nunc Graudant Materna Viscera Ecclesia)

Album Description

This first of four volumes of The Complete Hildegard von Bingen collection introduces listeners to a remarkable woman ahead of her time. Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) was born the tenth child to a noble family and was dedicated at birth to the church. At age three she began to have visions of luminous objects, but soon realized she was unique in this ability and kept these visions secret for many years. Hildegard's religious education, which began at the age of eight, consisted of an ascetic life of prayer and contemplation. At a time when few women were accorded respect, she lived to become a highly respected writer, poet, composer and visionary sought after for her counsel by bishops, popes and kings.

At 38, she became the head of a vibrant convent where later her musical plays were performed. Music was extremely important to Hildegard as she considered it a way for mortals to experience heavenly, or spiritual ecstasy. According to Hildegard, before the Fall of Man, Adam had a pure voice and joined the angels in singing praises to God. After the Fall, music was invented and musical instruments were made in order to worship God appropriately. Perhaps this best explains why Hildegard's music most often sounds like what we imagine angels singing to be like.

Recorded in the nineteenth century church at Toddington, a tiny village in the countryside of Gloucestershire in western England, Sinfonye recreates the imaginative spirit of this exceptional composer. Hildegard is known for her hymns, anthems and sequences honoring saints, virgins and Mary, and Sinfonye delivers an unforgettable celebration of these praises and metaphorical writings in the plainchant tradition - a single vocal melodic line - a tradition common in liturgical singing of her time.

The Complete Hildegard von Bingen, Volume Two: Aurora
Average customer rating:
The Complete Hildegard von Bingen, Volume Two: Aurora
Sinfonye
Manufacturer: Celestial Harmonies
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Complete Hildegard von Bingen, Volume One: Symphony of the Harmony of Celestial Revelations

The Complete Hildegard von Bingen, Volume Three: O Nobilissima Viriditas

Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy

The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen

Feather on the Breath of God

ASIN: B00001NTRJ
Release Date: 1997-07-02

Tracks:

From Wherever They Came
O Leafy Branch
O How Precious
Because It Was A Woman
Ave Maria
Divine Love Abounds
O Great Wonder
Hail, Noble One
O Branch And Crown
So God Watered Them With Dew
O Energy Of Wisdom
O Sweetest Lover
While The Craft Of God's Finger
Spiritui Sancto
O Father Of All

Album Description

This is the second volume of The Complete Hildegard von Bingen. Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) was born the tenth child to a noble family and was dedicated at birth to the church. At age three she began to have visions of luminous objects, but soon realized she was unique in this ability and kept these visions secret for many years. Hildegard's religious education, which began at the age of eight, consisted of an ascetic life of prayer and contemplation. At a time when few women were accorded respect, she lived to become a highly respected writer, poet, composer and visionary sought after for her counsel by bishops, popes and kings.

Images of aurora or dawn appear in many of Hildegard's songs as metaphors for the Virgin Mary and is implicit as the inner and outer energy in all virgins. This recording freely gathers those songs inspired by the young saint Ursula, the Virgin Mary, and the expressive spirituality of Hildegard's nuns. The songs are a celebration of virginity, but also would have been part of the general medieval belief that music had its own spiritual power, and that given the right conditions, could be heavenly. It was the music of virgins that Hildegard heard as celestial harmony.

Tracks:

O Jerusalem
Quia felix pueritia - Magnificat - Quia felix pueritia
O felix apparitio
O beatissime Ruperte
O Jerusalem: Instrumental Piece
O tu illustrata
Cum erubuerint
O frondens virga - Gloria patri Av Generosa
O quam preciosa
O ignee spiritus
Instrumental Piece
O quam magnum miraculum est

Customer Reviews:

The ultimate in spiritual meditation music........2007-03-20

The songs are ancient and beautiful (though there's not too much variation). The performances are better. The sense of depth, gravity, and just *worship* on this recording is unbelieveable. You will be transported to some distant, mysterious mountain chapel as you listen to these inexpressibly pure chants. Excellent music for focusing on anything, or for praying, or just calming down while driving in your car after anything stressful. It's also great sympathy music if you don't have a shoulder to cry on.

A Vibrant Reconstruction.......2005-10-02

Another flawless Sequentia contibution to the complete works of Hildegard, this set uses the 10 minute title piece, written for the dedication of a church, to lay the cornerstone for a series of liturgical songs which might have been appropriate to such an occasion. As the church bells ring to set the stage for the recorded fantasia, the lovely choir begins and carries straight through a roller coaster of gems, occasionally colored by a spare but powerful addition of period instruments throughout, fiddle, harp, organ, flute. Characteristic Hildegard themes of the miraculous, holy virginity and its fruits amplify and adorn songs regarding the new church's patron Saint Rupert and his virtues, a duke's son and ascetic who died at 20. Sequentia's combination of vibrant performance and informed but creative reconstruction perfectly matches the spirit of the bold medieval composer and abbess Hildegard, as she in turn linked her own charisms to Rupert. The total effect is like a rare telescope look into a distant spiritual terrain, and quite absorbing.

Superb rendition of Hildegard.......1999-12-23

Like all the other Hildegard/Sequentia discs, this one is a wonderful addition to any collection. Inspired performances, soaring melodies, intriguing texts. Elizabeth Gaver's instrumental compositions are an especially nice addition; they fit perfectly with Hildegard's style and provide just the right contrast to the vocal pieces. This is currently one of my "desert island" CD's.

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Music Composers

Music Composers