Update to this post — I’ve now written two more of these pieces using texts by Hildegard. Also rejigged one of those to another key so now all four of them are more comfortably singable by a standard SSAA configuration, rather than me really straining to get a low D! (Means the top line goes up higher than I am comfortable on now, but that’s kind of the point: I’m not really a soprano!)
Anyway, proposed final order to the set is now:
- O mirum admirandum
- Vos flores rosarum
- O virga mediatrix
- O choruscans lux stellaris
O virga mediatrix, sancta viscera tua mortem superaverunt et venter tuus omnes creaturas illuminavit in pulchro flore de suavissima integritate clausi pudoris tui orto. O branch and mediatrix, your sacred flesh has conquered death, your womb all creatures illumined in beauty’s bloom from that exquisite purity of your enclosed modesty sprung forth.
translation by Nathaniel Campbell.
O choruscans lux stellarum, o fulgens gemma: tu es ornata in alta persona Tu es socia angelorum et civis sanctorum. Fuge, fuge speluncam antiqui perditoris, et veniens veni in palatium regis. O glittering starlight O shining gem: you are adorned like a noble you are a companion of angels and a citizen among the saints. Flee, O flee the cave of the old betrayer and come, O come into the king’s palace.
Translation (adapted from) Peter Dronke
And uh:
Virtual choir performance!
I should post the sheet music of this soon.