Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Prologue. Qui sunt hi, qui ut nubes?
2. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Processional of embodied souls
3. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Scene 1. O nos peregrine sumus
4. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Anima processional
5. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Scene 1. O dulcis divinitas
6. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Anima processional
7. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Scene 1. O gravis labor
8. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Instrumental dance
9. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Scene 2. Ego Humilitas
10. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Instrumental dance

Disc 2:

1. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Symphonia: O quam magnum miraculum
2. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Symphonia: O felix anima
3. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Symphonia: O quam mirabilis
4. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Instrumental lament
5. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Scene 3. Heu! heu! nos virtutes plangamus
6. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Scene 4. Que es, aut unde venis?
7. Ordo Virtutum, liturgical drama: Finale: In principio

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #101028 in Music
• Released on: 1998-04-07
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .27 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
Sequentia brought this extraordinary allegorical proto-opera to public attention with a recording and tour in 1982, at the beginning of the Hildegard boom. This new release is the culmination of the label's series of Hildegard's complete works in honor of the 900th anniversary of her birth. The earlier recording included a lot of intrusive instrumental doodling, but 16 years of experience have given Sequentia the courage to let the vocal lines (however plain) speak for themselves--and what glorious lines they are. The Soul's weary lament as she returns from her sojourn with the Devil and Victory's soaring solo upon the Devil's final defeat are astonishing. Fine singing and playing make this disc as fine a tribute as Hildegard and her fans could want. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews

Challenging, evocative
I was first introduced to Sequentia's Hildegard with their Canticles of Ecstacy, which entirely fits the description of meditative music. Ordo, Hildegard's first opus, is an allegory, with different voices representing the virtures. Some are melancholic, wistful; others are meditative; still other voices triumphant. It is a rich blend of beautiful voices, but one caveat to the seeker of background meditative music. In the allegory, the voice of the devil (a rasping male voice quite suitable to the allegory) bursts out in several scenes to mock and frighten the virtues. The devil cannot sing, of course, so he shouts. This will disturb the casual listener expecting nothing but soothing sounds. It is historically appropriate but not necessarily everyone's cup of tea.

A piece of pure genius
Hildegard's Ordo Virtutum is a piece of genius. When it was written in the 12th century it was centuries ahead of its time and perhaps in some respect still is. Sequentia's interpretation matches the geniality of this music. The devil's intrusions are an invention without parallel. In the medieval mind, music was heavenly, meaning that the devil could not sing and could not be presented as vocal role. Instead, the devil can only grunt and shout unable to hide his true nature when faced by the virtues. This piece is certainly nothing for background listeners of medieval music.

Not stupid at all
Scott Graham seems to have missed the point of the "hog calling". To put it in is not stupidity on the producer's side, it is just following the instructions of Hildegard. You can't expect the devil to have a pleasant voice, at least not according to medieval belief. This is not music you are supposed to fall asleep to. Sequentia does an excellent interpretation. Highly recommended!