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Women of Music History, Part II- Hildegard von Bingen

© Brad Foust

The life of Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) can only be described as incredible. During the time when women were not given much respect, Hildegard was active as a writer, artist, philosopher and composer, and was an advisor to popes and kings. Her visionary works have even found a new popularity in recent years through a renewed interest in chant and medieval music.

Hildegard was dedicated to the church at birth, and when she was 8, she was sent by her family to live at the Benedictine monastery at Disibodenberg. Here, she was assigned to an anchoress named Jutta. An anchoress was basically a person in service to the church who was, for all practical purposes, dead to the world. The anchors lived in cell-like quarters, and their only view of the outside world was through a narrow window, through which their food was also passed. A funeral-like ceremony was even held for those women and men who decided to undertake such a life.

Jutta was responsible for teaching Hildegard, and although she did learn to read and sing the Latin psalms, she never learned to write. She was a sick child, so sick that she was often barely able to walk, and at times, she would even lose her sight! Nevertheless, her teaching from Jutta and her proximity to the church (the anchor quarters were literally attached to the church) gave her a great amount of musical influence, an influence that would show itself in coming years.

Upon Jutta's death in 1136, Hildegard was appointed superior of the convent. During her time with Jutta, Hildegard had confided in her and one other monk of visions she would have from time to time. She kept these visions secret until 1141, when she began to have them recorded. She received a message from God that gave her complete understanding of all religious texts. These visions were later published and are known as Scivias. She later went on to move and found another convent a few miles away from Disibodenberg, in Rupertsberg near Bingen. She died in 1179 and is buried in the church at Rupertsberg.

Hildegard's musical pursuits were very important to her, as she considered music as "the means of recapturing the original joy and beauty of paradise." To her, music and worship were synonymous.

Hildegard wrote hymns and chants in the plainchant style, which is known for its single-line melodies. She also wrote antiphons, or a responsive style of singing. Her music was performed in the convents where she resided, such as her moral play, Ordo Virtutum. Her music has gained much popularity in recent years, and the 900th anniversary of her death in 1998 saw celebrations of her life and new recordings of her works.

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