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Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy | 
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| Creators: Hildegard Of Bingen, Cologne Sequentia Ensemble For Medieval Music, Benjamin Bagby, Barbara Thornton, Elizabeth Glen, Gundula Anders, Heather Knuston, Heather Knutson, Janet Youngdahl, Laurie Monahan, Lena Susanne Norin, Pamela Dellal
Label: RCA
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy Used: $2.95
You Save: $9.03 (75%)
New (39) Used (28) from $2.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 10332
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 77320
UPC: 054727732027
EAN: 0054727732027
ASIN: B000001TYF
Release Date: December 13, 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Although Hildegard von Bingen's music has been around for 900 years--and recordings of her music for decades--it seems that only now, as we approach the turn of another millennium, the time is right for the world to pay attention. In this first-rate traversal of her music--the most popular of several volumes released by the early-music ensemble Sequentia--we hear music that resulted from Hildegard's legendary visions, which often included song texts that she subsequently collected and dispensed to her religious community of women. As rendered here by the voices and instruments of Sequentia, her music invokes an unobscured sense of mystery, conforming to Hildegard's belief that music was our bridge to the harmonies of the heavens. Whether or not we're experiencing that "heavenly harmony" here, the simple, direct, beautifully turned melodies, sung by pure, finely tuned, warm-colored women's voices, often eerily accompanied by an instrumental drone, is heavenly enough. --David Vernier
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 For me July 30, 2008
My massage therapist played this during one of our sessions and I found it peaceful and relaxing.
Soul-stirring May 3, 2008
Though I am not a believer, I am interested and moved by all sorts of music, including a lot of historical music. This recording was my first introduction to the amazing Hildegard von Bingen. The music she composed, to me, is best described as soul-stirring. While listening to it, I get the sensation that it has reached inside to my heart and grabbed hold. I suspect this has something to with harmonics, neurology, etc. and is beyond my level of understanding, but I can't deny the wonderful feeling of soul fulfillment it gives me. This was an excellent purchase.
P.S. The feminist in me can't help but love that this was all composed by a woman nearly a millenium ago. Wow.
Different -- delightfully so August 3, 2007
I didn't get a chance to read all the reviews posted for this album, so if someone already said this I apologize for the repetition. Are you aware that this is the de facto first opera ever written in Europe? Hildegard was a visionary in so many ways! Her music is very different and unique when compared to other operas. I highly recommend it.
Simply awe inspiring and amazing May 20, 2007
One would have to listen to this music to understand the power it will hold over you. Ethereal and almost eery, yet full of power, grace and triumph, this will be a mainstay in your collection. The only thing resembling it that the mass public would be aware of is Gregorian Chant, although this is it's own beast and so much more. It's not expensive, buy it and see for yourself.
Ecstatic Music, Ecstatically Performed. May 13, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had first heard this performance of St. Hildegard of Bingen's "Canticles of Ecstasy" on sound cassette and loved it.
The music is sublime. The female voices are heavenly, without a hint of sentimentality.
When you listen to "Canticles of Ecstasy" you will know how this medieval nun and composer felt about things.
Caution. They could make a believer of you.
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