With my hand out of action (damaged nerve from too much cycling!) and therefore unable to play my cello and finish #39(2) for the time being 🙁 here is #40 getting me back in the saddle (so to speak).
This one gave me plenty to think about, as the manuscript seems to contain errors that need resolving – and the question is what’s the best solution possible? I have taken this chant to be in the E mode, transposed to A, which seems to be helpful in deciding on where there should be B flats. Then, for the tricky passage around “et civis sanctorum”, I have opted for a transposition down a third, with a slight correction so that the figure reflects other similar figures in the piece. I think it works pretty well, although I’ve just noticed a little mistake in my text placement (spot it and you get a prize!). Anyway, if you’re interested, compare the audio with the manuscript and see what you think.
o choruscans lux stellarum
o glittering starlight o most splendid and special form of regal marriage o shining gem you are adorned like a noble lady with no spotted wrinkle and you are a companion of angels and a citizen among saints flee, flee the cave of the old betrayer and come, come into the king’s palace.
I have started revisiting my 39th chant. It’s a long one – 8:30 mins, or there abouts – so to give you an idea of what it will become (and to motivate myself to stick at it…) here’s the beginning as a taster. The rest will follow soon 🙂
o ignee spiritus– giving taste to the soul
Fiery spirit praise be to you who works through drums and psalteries.Human minds blaze through you and the tabernacle of their souls contains their powers.
On May 25, 2022, I was interviewed (in French) by Bénédicte Minguet about Hildegard, her healing qualities, and my Hildegard Revisited project. You can listen to the broadcast here.
Fiery spirit praise be to you who works through drums and psalteries.
Human minds blaze through you and the tabernacle of their souls contains their powers.
From where the will ascends and gives taste to the soul and desire is its light.
Intellect calls you with the sweetest voice and prepares rationally made dwellings for you which exude golden works.
Yet you always have a sword to cut away what the noxious apple offers through blackest murder.
When a mist covers will and desires in which the soul flies and circles aimlessly.
But the mind ties will and desire together.
Indeed when the spirit rouses itself because the evil eye and the jaws of villainy demand it you quickly consume it in your flame when you so wish.
But when rationality too through wicked deeds prostrates itself you bind it tight and break it when you wish to and restore it by the influx of experience.
And when wickedness draws its sword against you you plunge it back into its heart as you did with the first fallen angel when you flung the tower of his pride into hell.
And there you built another tower raised from publicans and sinners who confess to you their sins and their deeds.
So all creatures that have life through you praise you for you are the most precious ointment for broken and fetid wounds which you change into the most precious gems.
Now allow us all to gather in you and guide us on the path of righteousness.
I wrote this piece with the people of Ukraine in my heart. It is an anthem that honours the life and courage of those whose blood is spilt, whose lives are ruined. You are my grandfather, my father, mother, son.
I have revisited Hildegard’s original chant (see my previous post) and added new music inspired both by the chant and by Hildegard’s lingua ignota – a language that she invented to reinvigorate the words that were important in her world.
o red blood, that flowed down from that height which divinity touched: you are the flower that the winter of the serpent’s breath never withered
