Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy

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Composer : Hildegard of Bingen
Performer : Laurie Monahan
Performer : Cologne Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval Music
Performer : Lena Susanne Norin
Performer : Heather Knutson
Performer : Janet Youngdahl

Product Details

Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 0054727732027
Label : Sony Music Canada Inc.
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : Music
Release Date : 1995-01-27
Running Time : 73minutes
UPC : 054727732027

ASIN : B000001TYF

Track Listings for

Disc-1
1. O vis aeternitatis - Sequentia
2. Nunc aperuit nobis
3. Quia ergo femina mortem instruxit
4. Cum processit factura digiti Dei
5. Alma Redemptoris Mater
6. Ave Maria, O auctrix vite
7. Spiritus Sanctus vivificans vite
8. O ignis spiritus Paracliti
9. Caritas habundat in omnia
10. O virgia mediatrix
11. O virdissima virga, Ave
12. Instrumental Suck Instrumental Piece
13. O Pastor Animarum
14. O tu suavissima virga
15. O choruscans stellarum
16. O nobilissima viriditas

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Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

Although Hildegard von Bingen's music has been around for 900 years--and recordings of her music for decades--it seems that only now, as we approach the turn of another millennium, the time is right for the world to pay attention. In this first-rate traversal of her music--the most popular of several volumes released by the early-music ensemble Sequentia--we hear music that resulted from Hildegard's legendary visions, which often included song texts that she subsequently collected and dispensed to her religious community of women. As rendered here by the voices and instruments of Sequentia, her music invokes an unobscured sense of mystery, conforming to Hildegard's belief that music was our bridge to the harmonies of the heavens. Whether or not we're experiencing that "heavenly harmony" here, the simple, direct, beautifully turned melodies, sung by pure, finely tuned, warm-coloured women's voices, often eerily accompanied by an instrumental drone, is heavenly enough. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews

Beautiful but so cold...! (2004-01-04)

I understand that this cd is loved by reviewers and will not have the audacity to contradict them by saying that "canticles of Ecstasy" is bad. No, it is not bad at all but I recently noticed that it is one of the cds in my collection (the other one being Dennis Keene's "Beyond Chant") that I play the least, a fact which led me to reflect on the intrinsic quality of this recording and of this kind of music.

Canticles of Ecstasy is not sung entirely a cappella. Rarely heard Medieval instruments (a kind of violin and a harp) are supposed to enhance the voices of the female singers. You may like it or you may not like it. You may wonder whether such instruments were really allowed inside monasteries at the time Hildegard lived or if it is a concession to our ears, which might otherwise find the chants just too austere to be really enjoyable. I love the sound of the viola and do not really bother too much about the historical accuracy of the performance. So this could not be the reason for which my cd was inexorably gathering the black Beijing dust. There must be something else.

The light came when I listened recently to Sacred Treasures II, an album of Russian Orthodox music. I suddenly realized just how "cold" and frighteningly ethereal Hildegard's canticles were compared with those chants from the East. Listening to Rachmaninoff's Vespers was like being nurtured inside the womb of a warm-hearted Russian granny or floating under the golden mosaic figure of the Pantocrator, rejoicing in its strong but tender maleness, while listening to Hildegard's songs was like soaring indefinitely in an icy, mineral space without limits that could either be pitch-dark or totally white. The voices are ethereal but are they still human?

This is not to say that you shouldn't buy this cd, but try also something that has more roots, more warmth and ultimately more humanity.

feeling GOD! (2003-11-30)

This is one of the most radiantly beautiful CD's on this planet!The genius that was Hildegard of Bingen will stun you with its beauty. She was a truly gifted and divinely inspired individual.When you put this CD on you are literally transported to another place. A place inside of yourself, a place of intense inner peace. You will feel your soul fly with these glorious melodies.You WILL experience the Divine Mother/Father when listening to this CD.And ofcourse, applause must go to the incredible Ensemble SEQUENTIA for bringing this beautiful music to light again after 850 YEARS!Do yourself a favor and purchase this CD, it will make you FEEL GOD in all Her glory & beauty.

Mystically beautiful music. (2003-10-05)

I love medieval music, and this album is a great choice for you if you do as well. This music has an amazing otherworldy sound that sparks the imagination and relaxes the spirit. The songs are amazing Gregorian chants sung by an enchanting assembly of female voices. I highly recommend this album for admirers of medieval music or classical music, or just about anyone else who wants a great album to relax to.

3 words. Fan! Tab! Ulous!!! (2003-02-17)

I digs this sound baby. I digs it near as much as I digs womens!!! The vocals on this cd is all womens!And they is all pleasant!!! No harpies here! And they ain't tellin' youse to take out the trash!!! You must get a copy for yourself, or you're doomed to be a dullard!!! Why you don't have a copy already, is excusable if you are under 25 years of age. The first track was heard by me on a 911 tribute show that ran on network tv about a year ago. I was fortunate enough to be familiar with the tune before seeing that beautiful tribute. I heard it at Anthony Hubls in Lancaster WI. It was his wifes' cd.Bless them both for helping me discover this music. Anthony, or "Toine" as I call him, is an excellent friend, and he cooks me chow what you ain't tasted as good!!!! I call him 'Bass",(short for fat-bastard),"T","Ant-tunney", and sometimes "Antonio" too. Have you stopped reading this review, to purchase this cd yet? No? , well I submit more drivel on you then, and pray I don't say "Neee" to you. I'm listening to the first track as I type this, the smell of incense still in the air, and nothing else is happening in the world outside. There is no middle-east. The weather must be calm. Financial matter doesn't exist.Nothing dare make a sound over this song. The suits' dangerous bustle is all so distant now.

Beautiful (2002-03-27)

I first heard Hildegard von Bingen in an evening yoga class. The music was very emotional, and I immediately bought the c.d. I now play it for my yoga students when they are wired, and without fail somebody comes up to me and asks, "What c.d. were you playing?". It is excellent for massage and meditation as well.

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