Hildegard von Bingen: Vespers from the Abbey [Import]

Gregorian Chant (Composer), Hildegard von Bingen (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Gregorian Chant, Hildegard von Bingen
• Audio CD (September 26, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Regis Records
• ASIN: B000HOJTJM
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #599,676 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Deus in adiutorium, versicule

2. O eterne Deus, antiphon

3. Spiritus sanctus vivificans vita, antiphon

4. O magne pater, antiphon

5. Karitas habundat (Caritas abundat), antiphon

6. Work(s): Lesson: Revelations 21, 1-5

7. O vis eternitatis, response

8. O ignis spiritus Paraclitus, sequence

9. O quam mirabilis, antiphon

10. Kyrie - Pater noster

11. O presul vere civitatis, sequence for St Disibod

12. O Jerusalem aurea civitatis, sequence to St Rupert

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Benedictine Nuns sing Hildegard, August 24, 2008

By 

Fabiano Seixas Fernandes "fbnfnds" (Florianópolis, SC Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hildegard von Bingen: Vespers from the Abbey (Audio CD)

VESPERS FROM THE ABBEY features nuns from the convent of St.Hildegard, Eibingen, performing the Vespers service. This must be one of the rare Hildegard von Bingen records which feature actual liturgical presentation of Hildegard's music (other records which follow the same guideline are 11,000 Virgins and Laudes de Sainte Ursule). This should be enough to command it to Hildegard aficionados. The fact that it's sang by actual nuns can be called a plus, but I'm not sure whether this would make the singing any more authentic.

Liner notes say little about the selection of repertoire and of the psalms chanted; Hildegard pieces dwell mostly on the Holy Spirit, but the closing pieces were composed for local saints: St.Disibod and St.Ruperte. No texts are provided. (For the chanting of biblical texts, the Nova Vulgata was used; those who wish to find the full text to track 10 should search "Deus, qui diligentibus te bona" for what is chanted after the "Pater noster".)

As for the singing, it is pleasant if a bit lackluster (especially in the closing long pieces, which would perhaps require an approach a bit more lyrical or festive). They're at their best when singing antiphons, but I think they did a good job rendering "O ignis Spiritus Paracliti", which is one of my favorites.

On the overall, it's an enjoyable listening, which puts Hildegard's music in liturgical context (even if there are disputes on whether her music was performed liturgically or at all, the idea of the Divine Office played an evidently important role in its creation). I wish there were more Hildegard records like this.

5.0 out of 5 stars still obtaining, March 1, 2011

By 

rich - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hildegard von Bingen: Vespers from the Abbey (Audio CD)

Can a former reviewer give a source for the stocking of this item since presently it seems so difficult to track the CD product. Thanks.