O pastor was the very first chant that I recorded, back in March 2020 when this project kicked off at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis. Listening back to my first revisitings, I realize how far I have come and how much I have learnt. There is still room for me to grow and improve, though – which is lucky, as I am only just under halfway through the 77 chants!
My specific aim in recording a new version of o pastor was to create a piece for two voices, cello and drum, to be performed live with my talented colleague Jos Somsen as part or our first programme in a new series of concerts inspired by the seasons, spirituality and ritual. The première is planned for February 2022 – more info anon.
In the meantime, here is my home-recorded version:
o pastor – the herder of souls
#hildegardvonbingen #chantrevisited #ilovemycello
o herder of souls, o first voice by which we were all created: may you now be willing to release us from our miseries and our frailties.
This one has been a long time coming, but my wanderings have finally ended in an a cappella version for three voices.
cum erubuerint– the wanderings of the fall
#hildegardvonbingen #chantrevisited #acappella
when they blushed, unhappy with their descendants, coming from the wanderings of the fall, then you cry out with a clear voice and thus lift up humankind from this malicious fall
I am excited, honoured and frankly a little bit nervous to announce that six pieces from my Project Hildegard are to be performed as part of the Journées du Patrimoine on September 11 and 12.
The female vocal ensemble La Noeva and the narrator Julie Rensonwill perform these mini concerts as an introduction to La Noeva’s new programme inspired by and featuring the music of Hildegard Von Bingen. Each mini concert gives you the opportunity to discover: the wonderful crypt at the Abbey of Maredret (not usually open to the public), one of Hildegard’s liturgical chants, one of my Hildegard creations, and an enchanting and evocative text, written and narrated (in French) by Julie Renson.
The concerts are free (with voluntary contribution), but you need to reserve, and there is a maximum of 20 people allowed for each mini concert. You can reserve by scrolling to the bottom of the Abbey’s webpage or by telephoning the Abbey on 082 21 21 83 between 9.30 and 11.00 am.
In between two Marian feasts (the feast of the Assumption on August 15th and the feast of her Queenship on August 22nd) I post an antiphon in honour of the Virgin Mary. It’s a very beautiful one, and I’m looking forward to revisiting it 🙂
cum erubuerint
#hildegardvonbingen #chant #facsimile
when they blushed, unhappy with their descendants, coming from the wanderings of the fall, then you cry out with a clear voice and thus lift up humankind from this malicious fall
O how wondrous is the prescience of the divine heart that foreknew every creature. For when God looked into the face of humankind, whom he had formed, he beheld all his works in that same human form – entire. O how wondrous is the breath that woke humankind.
