Saint's music is collected in book

"Shadows of the Living Light: Songs of Saint Hildegard of Bingen" is now available for Church musicians who want to perform the saint's original melodies.

Melinda Gardiner, a parishioner of St. Bridget's parish in Copake Falls, and Mona Peck, of Peekskill, compiled the spiral-bound book, which contains six of the medieval saint's songs.

Musicians and choir members at St. Bridget's have been performing the tunes for the past ten years on special occasions like the Easter Triduum, Christmas and the Feast of the Assumption.

"I thought that other diocesan musicians might want to have access to this amazingly beautiful music," Ms. Gardiner said.

Therapy

Her therapeutic music group, Music for Healing and Transition, uses the music in its work with people who are sick or dying, providing them with restful sounds and meditation.

Ms. Gardiner, a registered nurse, is on staff at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, where she frequently performs therapeutic music.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1180) is noted for her unusual visions and was widely accepted as a prophetess in the Church of her time. She founded two Benedictine monasteries, and produced voluminous theological, philosophical, scientific, medical and musical writings.

Contents

The book presents her music in the form of Gregorian chant, the form in which she originally composed them, and also in modern musical notation.

"We wanted to bring something from the 12th century into our liturgies -- music and prayer that seems relevant for our times now," noted Ms. Gardiner.

"We've organized this book so that the reader will be able to compare the original Gregorian notation of each piece to the modern notation as easily as possible. The Latin text of each song, English translation of the text and individual performance notes are presented.

"I can describe her music as word-painting; the music and words are expertly entwined together as one. They provide a wonderful balance of the inner and outer world, Heaven and earth, what connects the body and the soul."

(The book, published by Nada Publishing of Peekskill, costs $23. To order a copy, call 325-5546. The book includes performance notes, chord indications, an arrangement for harp or keyboard, English translations, and a discography of Hildegard's life and music.)

(8/17/06) [[In-content Ad]]