Hildegard Von Bingen: Heavenly Revelations

One of the Middle Ages’ most fascinating figures, Hildegard von Bingen was a true polymath—a composer, philosopher, visionary, medical writer, naturalist and more. Entering into a Benedictine monastery in southwest Germany as a teenager, she rose through the ranks to become abbess and composed prolifically throughout her life. More than 70 of her works survive today, some of which are presented in this exquisitely sung collection. You’ll hear a selection of Hildegard’s chanted settings of her own poetry, as well as a musical extract from her play Ordo Virtutum. A supposedly non-religious drama, it charts the conflict of the human soul and, despite being composed within a closed religious community, includes parts for both male and female voices. British conductor Jeremy Summerly coaxes singing of crystalline purity from the Oxford Camerata, resulting in one of the most enjoyable and important recordings of Hildegard von Bingen’s work.