Hildegard von Bingen - Female composer and patron saint of creativity
Hildegard von Bingen - Female composer and patron saint of creativity
I had heard of Hildegard von Bingen briefly as a student at music conservatory, but I became acquainted with her more personally when I actually played the character of Hildegard of Bingen in a Christmas pageant and sang one of her compositions while two teenagers danced a beautiful ballet routine which depicted the blooming of flowers.
Although not included on my debut album, Voices of Women, I hope to include one of Hildegard von Bingen’s works on the Voices of Women recital series planned for Spring 2020.
Who was Hildegard von Bingen?
Hildegard von Bingen was a German Benedictine abbess and visionary. Hildegard was also a prolific composer and writer. She was canonized and made a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI. Hildegard von Bingen is one of the first identifiable composers in the history of Western music. However, we don’t know much about how Hildegard von Bingen composed, such as whether she received texts first which she used to compose her melodies, or if the text and music came to her at the same time in an organic manner.
Q&A: Get to know Hildegard von Bingen
Q: What vocal compositions has Hildegard von Bingen composed?
A: Hildegard von Bingen composed a collection of 77 songs which form a liturgical cycle for the church year and a music drama, Ordo Virtutum. Her songs are highly improvisatory sounding and do not follow the strict rules of Latin grammar as she had not received any formal training in Latin. The subject matter is lush and colorful: Gardens, fruits, fertility and jewels, nearly erotic descriptions of the Virgin Mary, reminiscent of the poetry in the biblical Song of Songs.
Q: Who were Hildegard von Bingen contemporaries?
A: Bernard of Clairvaux.
Q: Is there a connection between Hildegard von Bingen and politics?
A: Hildegard von Bingen commanded the respect of both the church and political figures of her time. She oversaw the building of a new monastery for her followers, and when they grew too many for that space she established another convent in a separate location.
Q: How does Hildegard von Bingen relate to women’s equality?
A: Sadly, Hildegard von Bingen was shut away for much of her life in a small cell where her only contact with the outside world was a small window. Her function in this monastic life was to pray. She therefore suffered health issues throughout her life, including migraines.
Q: How does Hildegard von Bingen relate to other women’s issues?
A: Hildegard von Bingen was highly successful in establishing and leading a community of women, as well as interacting with men in the church and political establishment of her time.
Q: Is there a link between Hildegard von Bingen and women’s entrepreneurship?
A: Truly, a Renaissance woman 300 years before the Renaissance, Hildegard’s interests and skills were wide ranging, from natural science and medicine to music and art. Indeed, her music seems to be inspired by nature both in subject matter and the tonal landscape that is created in her chant. Besides some training as a choir nun, she did not receive formal musical training or instruction, and so her works are truly inspired by her own creative path. Although her music was not heard outside of the walls of her monastery during her lifetime, today we remember her best for her music.
Hildegard von Bingen resources & recommended recordings
Learn more about this fascinating female composer at HealthyHildegard.com or at Classical FM.