Ave generosa

Several fragments of chant by Hildegard von Bingen, including that referred to in the title (‘Hail, noble girl’), a lyric in praise of the Virgin Mary, are incorporated into this work. Another source is an acrostic mentioned in the Vita Sanctae Hildegardis; a mysterious pattern of letters in the form of a cross, discovered by a young priest on his altar-cloth, and explicated by Hildegard. A pastoral opening referencing birdsong introduces a quasi-passacaglia followed by a harp cadenza. After a central climax with indeterminate elements, incorporating a musical phrase from Hildegard’s own setting of the lyric, a second passacaglia reaches its apotheosis in another Hildegard melody. This celebrates the Incarnation, as Hildegard addresses Mary: ‘Thus your womb held joy.’