Bingen: Chants De L'Extase

Immerse yourself in the sacred and enchanting world of Hildegard von Bingen with "Bingen: Chants De L'Extase," a monumental collection of her most revered medieval chants and sequences. Released in 1985, this double album spans over two hours and features 27 tracks that showcase the profound spiritual and musical legacy of this remarkable 12th-century abbess, composer, and visionary.

Performed by the esteemed early music ensemble Sequentia, under the direction of the late Barbara Thornton, this album offers an unparalleled journey into the mystical and devotional music of the Middle Ages. The ensemble's meticulous attention to historical performance practices brings Hildegard von Bingen's compositions to life with stunning clarity and resonance.

"Bingen: Chants De L'Extase" includes several of Hildegard's most beloved chants, such as "O rubor sanguinis," "O Ecclesia," and "O Jerusalem," as well as rare and exquisite sequences that were recorded for the first time on this album. The ensemble's pure and ethereal vocals, accompanied by medieval instruments like the harp, vielle, and organistrum, create an atmosphere of transcendent beauty and spiritual depth.

This album is a testament to Hildegard von Bingen's enduring influence and the timeless power of her music. Whether you are a longtime admirer of medieval music or a newcomer to the genre, "Bingen: Chants De L'Extase" offers an unforgettable experience that celebrates the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the Middle Ages.

Hildegard von Bingen, a polymathic force of the Middle Ages, transcends the boundaries of a single artistic genre. Born in Germany around 1098, she was a Benedictine abbess, poet, composer, and visionary whose works span religion, medicine, music, ethics, and cosmology. Her compositions, rooted in Gregorian chant, are as unique as they are beautiful, inviting listeners to experience the sacred and profound. Von Bingen's life was marked by vivid visions that began in childhood and intensified in 1141, leading her to produce a vast body of work that includes visionary writings, musical compositions, and natural healing texts. Her influence extends beyond her music, as she was also a renowned healer, philosopher, and theologian, earning her the title of Church Doctor. Von Bingen's legacy endures, inspiring countless individuals with her spiritual depth, intellectual rigor, and artistic innovation.