Hildegard: Ordo Virtutum

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)
Ordo Virtutum
Sequentia - Benjamin Bagby & Barbara Thornton, dirs
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi (BMG) 05472 77394 2 (CDx2)

Contents:

    Hildegard von Bingen: Ordo Virtutum

    CD-1

    Ordo Virtutum
  1. Prologue: Qui sunt hi, qui ut nubes?
  2. Processional of embodied souls (instr.)
  3. Scene 1: O nos peregrine sumus
  4. Anima processional (instr.)
  5. Scene 1 (cont'd): O dulcis divinitas
  6. Anima processional (instr.)
  7. Scene 1 (cont'd): O gravis labor
  8. Instrumental dance
  9. Scene 2: Ego Humilitas
  10. Instrumental dance

    11. CD-2

    Interlude
  11. Symphonia: O quam magnum miraculum
  12. Symphonia: O felix anima
  13. Symphonia: O quam mirabilis

    14. Ordo Virtutum
  14. Instrumental lament
  15. Scene 3: Heu! Heu! Nos virtutes plangamus
  16. Scene 4: Que es aut unde venis?
  17. Finale: In principio

Sources (text editions):
Peter Dronke (Cambridge), copyright 1997

Source (music):
[1]-[10], [15]-[17] Rupertsberger "Riesencodex" (1180-1190), Wiesbaden, Hessische Landesbibliothek, Ms. 2, fol. 478vb-481vb
[11] Rupertsberger "Riesencodex" (1180-1190), Wiesbaden, Hessische Landesbibliothek, Ms. 2, fol. 467rb-va
[12] Rupertsberger "Riesencodex" (1180-1190), Wiesbaden, Hessische Landesbibliothek, Ms. 2, fol. 4470vb
[13] Rupertsberger "Riesencodex" (1180-1190), Wiesbaden, Hessische Landesbibliothek, Ms. 2, fol. 466rb-va
[14] Realization: Elizabeth Gaver

Playing time: 51' 09" + 40' 52" = 1h 32' 01"

Performers:
Sequentia, Ensemble für Musik des Mittelalters
Sequentia women's vocal ensemble (Vox Feminae): Rebecca Bain (voice: Caritas, Innocentia, Verecundia), Pamela Dellal (voice: Felix Anima, Infelix Anima), Suzanne Ehly (voice: Spes, Amor Celestis), Ellen Hargis (voice: Scientia Dei), Maria Jonas (voice: Timor Dei), Lydia Heather Knutson (voice: Victoria), Nancy Mayer (voice: Fides, Disciplina, Patientia), Lena Susanne Norin (voice: Humilitas), Barbara Thornton (voice: Contemptus Mundi), Janet Youngdahl (voice: Obedientia, Misericordia) - Barbara Thornton, dir.
Franz-Josef Heumannskämper (Diabolus)
Sequentia men's vocal ensemble (Sons of Thunder): Patriarchs and Prophets: John Fleagle (voice), Stephen Grant (voice), Paul Guttry (voice), William Hite (voice), Frank Kelley (voice), Mark McSweeney (voice), Eric Mentzel (voice) - Benjamin Bagby, dir.
Sequentia instrumental ensemble: Elizabeth Gaver (direction, medieval fiddle), Rachel Evans (medieval fiddle. Robet Mealy (medieval fiddle), Norbert Rodenkirchen (medieval flute), Benjamin Bagby (organistrum).

Recording site and date:
Basilica of Knechsteden, Germany [06-07/1998];
Rel.: 1998

This is a new recording. Sequentia's older recording:

Hildegard: Ordo Virtutum
Sequentia
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 77051 (2 CDs)

Another dramatic German cycle by the present ensemble:

Bordesholmer Marienklage
Sequentia
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 77280 (2 CDs)

Reviewed in:
Gramophone (Vol./#-p.): 76/904-74 (august 1998)
Fanfare (Vol./#-p.): 22/1-208 (sept./oct. 1998)

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Pierre-F. Roberge