I.  O Virgo Ecclesia
II. Nunc Gaudeunt Materna Viscera Ecclesia
III. O Orzchis Ecclesia
IV. O Choruscans Lux Stellarum

for mezzo-soprano and piano

Mitzi Westra, mezzo-soprano
Greg Martin, piano

These antiphons (in Latin) are by mystic Hildegard of Bingen that were written and set to her on incomparable music for a dedication for a new church and were later gathered together in her Symphonia armonie celestium revelationum. The first of these four antiphons speak a note of mourning and fear, for which sacrifice of Christ, and the marriage of the church and the Lamb will ultimately conquer their enemy and redeem the church. Each successive antiphon becomes more joyful and ecstatic. This setting sets its stage in mourning and anxiety, before moving through an embrace of that coming joy and eventual marriage. Initially, the first of this set was commissioned by soprano Karen Adair which I then transcribed for my wife Mitzi Westra – she then asked for the last three to be written to be included in an upcoming recording project. I have always enjoyed the work of this polymathic Christian mystic, and had wanted to interact with her through her writings for some time.

Four Antiphons of Hildegard of Bingen

I am an eclectic composer who writes with a postmodern mischievousness: my pieces can be comedic/ironic, simple/complex, or humble/reverent. My recent projects have taken a turn toward turn towards the sweeter side, exploring a consonant adiatonicism.

Four Antiphons of Hildegard of Bingen

FRANK FELICE, composer