Composer

:

Hildegard von Bingen

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Hymn

Compose Date

:

ca. 1140 - 1179

Average_duration

:

6:37

"Cum vox sanguinis" is a liturgical chant composed by Hildegard von Bingen, a German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, and mystic. The piece was likely composed in the 12th century, during Hildegard's time as the head of the convent at Rupertsberg. The piece is a sequence, a type of liturgical chant that follows the Alleluia in the Mass. It is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and contemplative, with a simple melody that rises and falls in a gentle arc. The second movement is more lively, with a faster tempo and a more complex melody that weaves in and out of the vocal lines. The third movement returns to the slower tempo of the first, but with a more elaborate melody that builds to a climax before resolving into a peaceful conclusion. The text of "Cum vox sanguinis" is a meditation on the blood of Christ and its power to redeem humanity. The first movement focuses on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, with lines such as "With his blood he redeemed us / From the power of the devil." The second movement celebrates the resurrection of Christ, with lines such as "He rose from the dead / And ascended into heaven." The third movement reflects on the ongoing presence of Christ in the world, with lines such as "He is the light of the world / And the hope of the faithful." The music of "Cum vox sanguinis" is characteristic of Hildegard's style, with its soaring melodies, intricate harmonies, and use of dissonance to create tension and release. The piece is also notable for its use of word painting, in which the music reflects the meaning of the text. For example, the rising and falling melody of the first movement evokes the image of Christ on the cross, while the more complex melody of the second movement reflects the joy of the resurrection. Overall, "Cum vox sanguinis" is a powerful and moving piece of music that reflects Hildegard's deep spirituality and her belief in the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. Its beauty and complexity continue to inspire musicians and listeners today.

More....