23rd Annual Student Research Conference
Imitatio Mariae: Marian Hymns and Antiphons of Hildegard von Bingen
Julie C. Watts
Prof. Shirley McKamie, Faculty Mentor
Hildegard von Bingen was a highly respected mystic, theologian, and composer who lived in the 12th century. She left behind many important religious, scientific, and poetic writings and over seventy musical compositions. However, her music was not included in the art music canon until relatively recently. In part, this was because the characteristics of her style lay outside the common compositional practices of the Medieval Period. Instead, Hildegard's music is a reflection of her personal history, her role as a Benedictine abbess, and her theology. Hildegard's Marian hymns and antiphons illustrate the qualities of her compositional style, as well as her theological ideas, while ultimately serving as an aid to draw chanters deeper into prayer. More than 800 years later, her music may still be performed as prayer, because her texts are exactly the same as those used every day by the devout who pray the Liturgy of the Hours.
Keywords: Hildegard, Marian, hymn, antiphon, Medieval, music, theology, religion
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 6-1
Location: VH 1010
Time: 8:00