Hildegard von Bingen

Hildegard’s Visions

American composers Frank Ferko and Stephen Paulus confirm the influence of a medieval mystic, Hildegard of Bingen, upon their contemporary art.

Hildegard believed music to be the highest form of human activity, a mirror of the celestial resonance of angel choirs and the harmony of the heavenly spheres. Why shouldn’t composers today be inspired by her example?

Listen to the program

1 hr 28 min

Program Broadcast dates:

•September 14, 1998 as Show #9837

•August 1, 2005 as Show #0531

Links and Resources:

• Art work of Hildegard von Bingen
• Printable program listings

Music played in the program

FRANK FERKO: The Hildegard Organ Cycle: The Origin of Life; The Construction of the World; Articulation of the body; The Meaning of History; The Effect of Love; The End of Time –Frank Ferko (1994 Lively-Fulcher/St. Patrick RCC, Washington, DC) Arsis CD-101

HILDEGARD OF BINGEN: Hymn, O magne pater –Barbara Thornton, soprano. Deutsche Harmonia Mundi DHM-77378

STEPHEN PAULUS: Visions of Hildegard, Part 1: The Man in the Blue Sapphire; The Seeress; Viriditas; The Cosmic Wheel; Creation’s Glory –Robert Shaw Festival Singers, Ann Howard Jones, conductor; Norman Mackenzie (1978 Möller/Wieuca Road Baptist, Atlanta, GA) Pipedreams Archive recorded June 28, 1992