Author
Hildegard of Bingen (German, 1098-1179):
- Tithed to to church by her parents at a young age (she was the tenth child).
- Had lots of wisdom about many different topics: recipes, theology, music, etc.
- Had 'visions' on a number of different topics
- Wikipedia Article
Time and Place
- Written sometime in the twelfth century, in modern-day Germany
About the Piece
(much of the description comes from elements that were brought out by Forney and Machlis, The Enjoyment of Music, and the accompanying DVD)- Genre is chant, or specifically "plainchant"
- The text praises the Virgin Mary
- Alternating soloist chorus, "responsorial"
- Melismas on "Alleluia" to open and close the piece
- Much of the rest of the piece is neumatic
- conjunct movement
- Monophonic
- Text language is Latin
- Three different melodic climaxes: sancta viscera tua ("holy flesh"), pulchro flore ("beautiful flower"), and pudoris tui ("your chastity")
- Narrow range
Purpose
- Sacred
- The piece was written for the Mass Proper
- Sung at feasts to honor Mary
Reflections
To me, this piece is exactly what I would expect from a piece of chant. It makes me feel like I am moving through life to quickly; I think that is what much of the modern church admires in chant (at least those who listen to it). The fact that the monks take 45 seconds to say the word "Alleluia" leaves me wondering if my praise to God is too time-effecient.