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The Beauty of the Ancients

Vouthon

Vouthon

Dominus Deus tuus ignis consumens est
Staff member
Premium Member
Saint Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) a Doctor of the Catholic Church, composed many pieces of music. She was one of history's first female composers. She was also a philosopher, mystic, visionary, artist, poet & theologian.

This is one of her odes called "Spiritus Sanctus" (Holy Spirit) and based upon Psalm 111. She wrote the lyrics and composed the music:


[youtube]LJEfyZSvg5c[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJEfy...layer_embedded


Original Latin Text
______________________________

Spiritus Sanctus vivificans vita


Spiritus Sanctus vivificans vita,
movens omnia,
et radix est in omni creatura,
ac omnia de immunditia abluit,
tergens crimina,
ac ungit vulnera,
et sic est fulgens ac laudabilis vita,
suscitans et resuscitans omnia.

______________________________



English Translation


______________________________


Holy Spirit, bestowing life unto life
moving in All.
You are the root of all creatures,
washing away all impurity,
scouring guilt,
healing their wounds.
Thus you are luminous and praiseworthy,
You are our true Life,
awakening, and re-awakening all that is
from its ancient sleep.
Click to expand...


Here is another one of her compositions:


[youtube]9eFPJa95qQE[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eFPJ...eature=related


O vis Aeternitatis

Power of Eternity
you who ordered all things in your heart,
through your Word all things are created just as you willed,
and your very Word
calls forth flesh
in the shape
which was drawn from Adam.
Power of Eternity
Power of Eternity.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Vouthon

Vouthon

Dominus Deus tuus ignis consumens est
Staff member
Premium Member
St. Hildegard also painted mandalas to try and illustrate pictorially her view of mankind's central position in the natural order:


6a0111685becb0970c0147e028428c970b-500wi



Read:

"...The colour circles and animals, framing the mandalas, symbolise God's eternal order, and their attributed qualities match the cosmic law. A circle of luminous red represents fire. It embraces all others and illuminates them...Beneath comes a zone of watery air, symbolising the holy works of righteous individuals. It represents water. Closest to the centre is a sphere of clear air; indicating moderation. The centre represents the element of earth...The animal heads, representing the characters which match the elements, [6] uphold the equilibrium by their breathing. "It is these winds which keep the universe in balance... and which keep human beings aware of salvation." [7] "All six circles are bound to each other... If the divine had not strengthened them through such an association, the firmament would come apart and have no stability." [8]
Click to expand...
The equilibrium is further held together by the binding of the elements. The opposites result in a harmonious order to guarantee perfection for whatever is central to the particular cosmogram. However, the centre plays a vital part in maintaining the balance; the relationship is reciprocal...The cosmic wheel in her fourth vision, entitled On the Articulation of the Body explains the celestial influence on Men, animals and plants. Here Hildegard shows Man's activities within the natural cycle of the seasons, again corresponding to their natural qualities, temperaments and elements. If Man sins, he will disrupt the harmony of the cosmos. Nature will be too dry, too wet, too hot or too cold.

"The Earth is strengthened by rocks and trees. Like it, we humans are created because our flesh is like the Earth; our bones... like rocks... and... trees." [9] And she adds: "the just embrace the wisdom and know what is living" [10] and "Because of such considerations, humanity should regard almighty God as a seal and recognise all the divine wonders and symbols." [11]
The second vision, entitled On the Construction of the World, describes the human body and soul as a microcosm, repeating the divine plan and the natural world in miniature. Man as microcosm is at the centre of Creation, with which he shares a special relationship. "The ball in the midst of the circle... represents Earth... such a ball, which is round and rotating, most resembles that form of the world in all its details. It is maintained on all sides by these circles, is tied to them, and receives constantly from them the greening freshness of life and the fertility needed for the Earth's support." [12]

Man is framed by the elements in the traditional manner, except for one significant difference: "The figure in whose breast the cosmic wheel appears is the source of true love in whose knowledge the wheel rests. And this order... preserves and nourishes everything." [13] The head on top represents the Godhead, the source of Divine Love. The feet of "true love" represent thrones of justice and righteousness that support the universe.

Through the act of blessing, God infused Humankind and Creation with Divine Love, thus established his 'covenant'. Righteousness and justice are its guarantors. Christ...re-established this oath, which, according to Hildegard, involved the protection of nature. "Those who trust in God will also honour the stability of the world: the orbits of the Sun and the Moon, winds and air, earth and water... We have no other foothold. If we give up this world we shall be destroyed."..."
Click to expand...
 
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Shiranui117

Shiranui117

Pronounced Shee-ra-noo-ee
Premium Member
Ooh, I've been waiting for a thread like this one :D

A few ancient chanting styles that went extinct as Gregorian Chant spread across the Roman Church...

Templar Chant (Can anyone tell me if this was its own unique style, or a subset of another one?)
[youtube]WZGMqKLGFpA[/youtube]
Lyrics to this and other videos I'll be posting can be found here (for this vid, CTRL+F "Crucem Sanctam Subiit" and you'll be there)

[youtube]4ych_dTX8G0[/youtube]
This is a piece of Old Roman Chant. This is the kinda stuff that Gregory the Great created after having seen Byzantine chant in Constantinople; "Gregorian Chant" is actually a fusion between this and Gallican chant.
Lyrics to Dominus Regnavit as chanted in this video:
Alleluia
The Lord reigns,
he is clothed with majesty:
The Lord is clothed in strength,
and has girded himself with strength.
Alleluia
Your throne is prepared from of old;
You are beyond the age.
Alleluia
The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
The floods have lifted up their voice,
The floods have lifted up their waves,
Alleluia.

[youtube]2JOShBSsql0&list=PL8D7626FF02034E57[/youtube]

[youtube]MfguO8nHxfo[/youtube]

The polyphony in all this is absolutely delicious to my ears :D

Here's a piece of Ambrosian chant dating back to the 5th century, brought back to life:
[youtube]AxvMVG8s6_o[/youtube]

[youtube]RrUxaISuk50[/youtube]

Is it just me, or does Ambrosian chant sound more Gregorian, while Old Roman chant sounds more Byzantine?
 
Shiranui117

Shiranui117

Pronounced Shee-ra-noo-ee
Premium Member
Just found this example of Gothic chant. From the first note, it's like a kick in the face! Holy crap!

[youtube]lhY_N7lp0jE[/youtube]
The words are just Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison. (Lord have mercy x2, Christ have mercy x2, Lord have mercy x2.)
 
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