O Virtus Sapientie - Hildegard von Bingen (c. 1098-1179)

O Virtus Sapientie, composed by one of the more widely known early women composers, Hildegard von Bingen, is a sacred chant written in Latin. While not falling into any category in the ordinary of the catholic mass, it was likely used as a meditation in the early church. It is written for unison choir of any voicing, although popular recordings use a tenor/bass drone on an E (or likely a B to create a fifth), while the soprano/alto sings the chant within the confines of the tenor/bass established intonation. This could theoretically be achieved with an instrumental drone as well, although care should be taken to achieve an unbroken sound throughout. Care should be taken to observe the mode of the piece as well. It has a home key centered on an E with no accidentals, creating a Phrygian feel. The work, although undated, is thought to have been written in the 1150’s, towards the middle of Hildegard von Bingen’s life, which spanned from around 1098 to 1179. As the piece is over 800 years old, it resides in the IMSLP public domain library. Conducting considerations should be made for the chant itself. Understanding the phrasing of the poetry (which Hildegard von Bingen wrote, a rarity in the early musical world) can be used to guide breaks and breaths, but the piece is otherwise entirely unmetered and guided by the flow of words and music. 

The Hildegard Society. (2014, July 18). O virtus Sapientie: Antiphon for Divine Wisdom (R 466rb) by Hildegard of Bingen. Retrieved from https://www.hildegard-society.org/2014/07/o-virtus-sapientie-antiphon.html

Silvas, A. (Trans.). (1999). Jutta and Hildegard: The biographical sources. Pennsylvania State University Press

Ruether, R. R. (2002). Visionary women. Augsburg Fortress