The Hildegard Works
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The works on this page are based on the various works of Hildegard von Bingen. The motets are based on Hildegard's sacred poetic texts, and the instrumental works, as well as the double choir Mass, are based on her chant. These works are also listed on other pages of this site according to their performance medium. As more new works based on Hildegard's chant and/or texts continue to be written, those works will be listed here.
Organ Music
Ten symphonic meditations on holy visions of Hildegard von Bingen as she described them in De operatione Dei. This work was first performed by the composer at St. Alphonsus Church, Chicago, on February 10, 1991
Instrumentation: organ solo
I The Origin of Life
II. The Construction of the World
III. Human Nature
IV. Articulation of the Body
V. Places of Purification
VI. Meaning of History
VII. Preparation for Christ
VIII. The Effect of Love
IX. Completion of the Cosmos
X. The End of Time
Total duration: 70:00
Single movement from an incomplete organ mass based on the chant melody "O Ecclesia" by Hildegard von Bingen
Instrumentation: organ solo
Duration: ca. 2:00
Choral Music
SATB Unaccompanied
The Hildegard Motets (1991-93)
Nine motets for unaccompanied
mixed chorus, using poetic texts by Hildegard von Bingen; commissioned by His Majestie's Clerkes, Chicago, for the 1993 celebration of the ensemble's tenth anniversary
Please note: The Hildegard Motets are not arrangements of works by Hildegard von Bingen. The Hildegard Motets are all based on texts written by Hildegard with music composed in 1991-1993.
Nos. I-VII and IX for SATB chorus, unaccompanied. No. VIII for TTBB chorus, unaccompanied
I. O verbum Patris
II. O splendidissima gemma
III. Hodie aperuit
IV. O factura Dei
V. O ignis Spiritus Paracliti
VI. Laus Trinitati
VII. O vos angeli
VIII. O speculum columbe
IX. Nunc gaudeant
Total duration: ca. 45:00
Audio
Click to hear O speculum columbe performed correctly
Commissioned by the Schola Cantorum of St. Peter's Church in the Loop, Chicago, 1994
For SATB chorus, unaccompanied
Duration: 1:45
Based on a text by Hildegard von Bingen; commissioned by Meistersingers, Brian Dehn, conductor; first performed in a set of two concerts on June 19-20, 2010 in Orange County, California
For SATB chorus, unaccompanied
Duration: 5:30
SATB-SATB (Double Choir) Unaccompanied
Commissioned by Michael Molloy in celebration of the life and work of Carl Crosier; first performed on November 1, 2015 by the Choir of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu and Hawai'i Vocal Arts Ensemble, conducted by Scott Fikse.
For double SATB chorus (two full choruses), unaccompanied
Duration: ca. 22:00
Hildegard Triptych (1997-98)
Commissioned by the Dale Warland Singers and first performed by them at the Cathedral Classics concerts, March 20-21, 1999 in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN; first European performances by the Holst Singers, conducted by Stephen Layton at St. Luke's Church, London on November 8, 2003, and by the Nederlands Kamerkoor, conducted by Stephen Layton, in Leeuwarden, Utrecht, Beek-Ubbergen, Groningen, Alkmaar, and Amsterdam, January 15-22, 2004
For double SATB chorus (two full choruses), unaccompanied
Total duration: ca. 12:00
I. O vis aeternitatis
II. Caritas abundat
III. O virtus Sapientiae
SSAA Unaccompanied
Based on text by Hildegard von Bingen; first performed by The Esoterics, Eric Banks, conductor, in a series of three concerts in the Seattle area, titled Sybilla, December 7, 8, and 9, 2012
For SSAA chorus, unaccompanied
Duration: 3:53
TTBB Unaccompanied
Based on a text by Hildegard von Bingen, this work also includes brief quotations of chant by Hildegard; commissioned for the 150th anniversary celebration of the Harvard Glee Club; first performed during the 2005 Spring Tour of the Glee Club (March 27-April 2), conducted by Kevin Leong
For TTBB chorus, unaccompanied
Duration: 5:34
Orchestra Music
Angels (1997; rev. 1998; published 1999)
For chamber orchestra (orchestra version by the composer; originally for organ)
Chamber orchestra: piccolo, flute, oboe, 2 B-flat clarinets, bassoon, 2 horns, B-flat trumpet, trombone, tuba, timpani, bass drum, crotales, triangle, harp, strings (minimum, 65442)
Duration: ca. 10:00
Instrumental Music
Commissioned by Christ Church, Winnetka, Illinois for the dedication of the redesigned and expanded organ; first performed by Dana Robinson on September 14, 2003
Instrumentation: organ solo
I. Entrance
II. Offertory
III. Consecration
IV. Communion
V. Finale
Total duration: 12:30
Commissioned by James Russell Brown for the dedication of the Hellmuth Wolff organ at St. Giles Church, Northbrook, Illinois
Instrumentation: organ solo
Duration: ca. 10:00