Hildegard of Bingen - ‘A Feather on the Breath of God’

Emma Kirkby sop Gothic Voices (Emily van Evera, Poppy Holden, Judith Stell sops Margaret Philpot contr Andrew Parrott, Kevin Breen, Howard Milner tens) / Christopher Page with Doreen Muskett symphony Robert White reed drones

Hyperion CDA66039 Buy now

(44’ · DDD · T/t)

Including: Columba aspexit. Ave, generosa. O ignis spiritus. O Ierusalem. O Euchari. O viridissima virga. O presul vere civitatis. O Ecclesia.

Here’s a collection of choice gems from one of the greatest creative personalities of the Middle Ages. We’ve limited means of assessing how these inspired pieces were performed in Hildegard’s time but the refreshingly unsophisticated timbre of the four sopranos and the reedy, almost boyish, vocal quality of the contralto are convincing enough to transport the listener right back to the unpolluted atmosphere of her cloister. Most to be savoured are the unaccompanied items, amounting to 50 per cent of the total. Indeed, since the notes make a point of telling us that ‘distractions such as the intrusion of instrumental decorations’ were to be avoided, why did the producer go out of his way to introduce symphony and reed drones in the performance of the other 50 per cent? However, this is a delightful recording. When it was first released it sparked new interest in the music of the Middle Ages; it remains a jewel in Hyperion’s crown.