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Home » Hildegard von Bingen » Choral Music » Ave generosa, hymn

Ave generosa, hymn by Hildegard von Bingen

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About This Work

When relatively few women could even read, the Abbess Hildegard -- mystic, poet, composer, counselor to popes and kings, and much else -- was easily among the most powerful and influential people of her time. Her music, however, would largely be neglected until the late twentieth century, when concerts and recordings of her works became commonplace. Virtually all of her compositions were written for a single vocal line in chant-like style, though many musicians now add instrumental accompaniment and additional vocal parts. The Ave generosa here is one of her more popular efforts, not least because of its unusual Latin text, wherein the Virgin Mary is portrayed as a sensual woman who is alluring to God the Father. The music features Hildegard's typically soaring vocal line, which to unaccustomed ears will sound mystical but barren, mesmerizing yet repetitious, in a seemingly loose structure. The writing consists of short, arch-like phrases whose occasional leaps impart an almost ecstatic spirit and energy to this otherwise slow-moving hymn. Sometimes there is greater animation mid-phrase, as ends of phrases are often in descent and suggest arrival at serenity following a climactic or ecstatic moment. This hymn typically has a duration of five minutes. ~ All Music Guide