898 Hildegard (2020)

for orchestra

2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Cl in Bb, 2 Horn, 2 Trumpet in Bb, 2 Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, Timpani, Vibraphone, Multi percussion (tubular bells, tam-tam, bass drum, susp. cymbal), harp, full strings

Recording will be available Spring 2020. Here is audio of the MIDI:

898 Hildegard was commissioned by the Genesee Valley Community Orchestra and premiered June 2016 to honor their founder, Sister Virginia Hogan, through the verse and melody of Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179). The title is borrowed from the name of a planetoid in our solar system, 898 Hildegard, thus connecting civilization’s ancient cosmos with the one that it continues to discover. I used excerpts from her chants “O Vis Eternitatis” and “O Gloriosissimi Lux Vivens Angeli,” in which the text is about eternity and angels. Then, I listened to the recordings of these chants on the Hildegard Society website (www.hildegard-society.org), and transcribed the performances in order to learn how these chants are presented rhythmically. After studying the intricate details of both chants, I then intertwined the original chant material with my own variations throughout, melding it together into a through-composed composition that not only displays my compositional style, but also highlights these beautiful chants by Hildegard von Bingen. It was later revised and premiered by the Las Vegas Philharmonic April 1, 2017 at the Smith Center.

The orchestra version (revised) of 898 Hildegard was written for the University of Rochester Orchestra for premiere April 2020 under the direction of Rachel L. Waddell. Live Recording will be available after the concert.

Duration: 10 Minutes
PDF Conductor Score: $20

PDF Score and Parts: $150