Search - Gregorian Chant, Hildegard von Bingen :: Hildegard von Bingen: Vespers from the Abbey

Benedictine Nuns sing Hildegard

Fabiano Seixas Fernandes | Florianópolis, SC Brazil | 08/24/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"VESPERS FROM THE ABBEY features nuns from the convent of St.Hildegard, Eibingen, performing the Vespers service. This must be one of the rare Hildegard von Bingen records which feature actual liturgical presentation of Hildegard's music (other records which follow the same guideline are 11,000 Virgins and Laudes de Sainte Ursule). This should be enough to command it to Hildegard aficionados. The fact that it's sang by actual nuns can be called a plus, but I'm not sure whether this would make the singing any more authentic.



Liner notes say little about the selection of repertoire and of the psalms chanted; Hildegard pieces dwell mostly on the Holy Spirit, but the closing pieces were composed for local saints: St.Disibod and St.Ruperte. No texts are provided. (For the chanting of biblical texts, the Nova Vulgata was used; those who wish to find the full text to track 10 should search "Deus, qui diligentibus te bona" for what is chanted after the "Pater noster".)



As for the singing, it is pleasant if a bit lackluster (especially in the closing long pieces, which would perhaps require an approach a bit more lyrical or festive). They're at their best when singing antiphons, but I think they did a good job rendering "O ignis Spiritus Paracliti", which is one of my favorites.



On the overall, it's an enjoyable listening, which puts Hildegard's music in liturgical context (even if there are disputes on whether her music was performed liturgically or at all, the idea of the Divine Office played an evidently important role in its creation). I wish there were more Hildegard records like this."