Hildegard von Bingen: Ego sum homo

Featuring

Barbora Kabátková
Tiburtina Ensemble
Hildegard of Bingen

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Compositional Technique

Hildegard von Bingen's sacred music, comprising 77 pieces and the liturgical drama Ordo Virtutum, features a unique compositional approach inspired by Gregorian chant.

Composer Biography

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) was a magistra, later abbess, mystic, composer, writer, and possibly a healer, whose life is surrounded by many myths.

Historical Context

The 12th century was a period of significant change, marked by religious and institutional revolt, including a boom in monastic life and the founding of new reformed orders like the Cistercians.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Hildegard von Bingen used her mystical visions, which began in 1141, to justify her ambitions and interpret scripture, as divine inspiration could not be denied.

Interpretation

The Tiburtina Ensemble chose an improvised accompaniment for Hildegard von Bingen's monophonic vocals using 'Old-Testament' plucked string instruments like the harp and dulce melos (a zither).

Instruments

The recording features a Gothic harp made by Franz Reschenhofer in 2008, a Dulce melos (a type of zither) by Bernd Maier from 2003, and a Romanesque harp 'Cythara Anglica' by Rainer M. Thurau.