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Showing posts with the label Religion and Spirituality

Classical Music History 101: Spirtual Polymath Hildegard Von Bingen

Composer Hildegard von Bingen rocked the Middle Ages with her incredible music, talent in medicinal arts, and dramatic plays. A Lill-of-all-trades, Hildegard remained one of the most prolific composers during the Middle Ages. When we think about prominent classical composers of the Middle Ages, few musicians can compare to German poet , herbalist, and composer St. Hildegard von Bingen. According to the Fordham University sourcebook "The Life and Works of Hildegard von Bingen," her best known works include the morality play Ordo Virtutum , or the Play of Virtues, and the liturgical vocal compositions. Typical of the time period, Hildegard von Bingen's works were simple compared to the complex contrapuntal lines of Bach in the Baroque Era or the perfectly mathematical harmonies of Mozart during the Classical Period. Much of the music that von Bingen wrote was spiritual in nature, as was common during the period of Gregorian Chant. As a university music and med...

Free Music Relaxation Album

Hello Everyone, As we get ready to take a break for Christmas , I thought I would share one of the projects I worked on this semester. It is a relaxation album specifically for mothers and children , but it also is very relaxing for just about anyone. There is a free download of the entire album here : http://www.easyeartraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/RelaxationPlayer/ Angels Take Flight The flowing rhythms and melodies of the marimba embrace you and your child in a warm auditory embrace. Fluid melodies, repeating, enclosed within circles of luscious synthesized chords, send you into a heavenly realm of sweet slumber. Eva Sleeps Tonight The simple melody of the lullaby, sparse and innocent, conjures up feelings and emotions associated with sleep and childhood. Single notes play together like children. Before the Dawn Soothing arpeggios and orchestral strains greet your ears with pleasing chords and a melody that wanders and wavers...

Hildegard von Bingen & Machaut

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) Germany The Abbess of Rupertsberg Mystic, visionary, poet Treatise on science, medicine, theology Healer, Herbalist A "Renaissance Woman" well ahead of her time Morality Play "Play of the Virtues" Ave generosa / Hymn to the Virgin translated by Barbara Newman In the pupil of chastity 's eye I beheld you untouched. Generous maid! Know that it's God who broods over you. For heaven flooded you like unbodied speech and you gave it a tongue. Glistening lily: before all worlds you lured the supernal one. How he reveled in your charms! how your beauty warmed to his caresses till you gave your breast to his child. And your womb held joy when heaven's harmonies rang from you, a maiden with child by God, for in God your chastity blazed. Yes your flesh held joy like the grass when the dew falls, when heaven freshens its green: O mother of gladness, verdure of spring. Ecclesia, flush with rapture! Sing for Mary's sake, sing for...

Middle ages Music

Gregorian Chant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5p_U8J0iRQ How is this music different than classical music works from other periods? - Instrumentation? - Monophony - Musical Lines - Rhythm Sacred music was notated at this time. The primary musicians at this time were the religious clergy. (For example, Hildegard von Bingen ). They recorded sacred music. Example of written music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HEKhr002Ts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkpFB6urAEE&feature=related Music was acapella Characteristics of Gregorian Chant Otherworldy the "Voice of the Church" No rhythm Moved by step (Piano example) Simple to sing Church Modes (Piano examples) SECULAR MUSIC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvaRMZPROSo Secular music included instruments like the fiddle, pipes, reed instruments Troubadours Knights and love songs Minstrels (Musicians/Acrobats on par with slaves. No rights. Human Newspaper) Played horns fiddles and lutes. Related articles A Short History of Long-Ha...