In Magna Symphonia

SSAA, a cappella

The poetry of twelfth-century German abbess and polymath Hildegard of Bingen contains some of the most beautiful language I think I’ve ever encountered, so the opportunity to set it to music—something she did an exquisite job of herself—was irresistible.  The narrative in the text (which I freely arranged) is a veiled creation story of sorts introduced by a few lines from fourth-century Roman poet Prudentius: everything is dark and the people are confused…until someone shows up and begins to sing.  Then “the earth exudes Life” and, wherever this music goes, it brings that life with it both to nature and the people who take it in “as nourishment.”

In Magna Symphonia was commissioned by the Nebraska Children’s Chorus Bel Canto (Sean Burton, Conductor) and received its premiere on that ensemble’s tour of European cathedrals in June 2007.

The Texts

By Prudentius (348-c. 410) and Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

Nox, et tenebrae, et nubila
confusa mundi et turbida,
lux intrat, albescit polus, 

      -Prudentius, Morning Hymn

O night and clouded Darkness,
confused and troubled world,
Light enters in, the sky is whitening.

De te nubes fluunt, ether volat,
lapides humorem habent,
aque revulos educunt
et terra viriditatem sudat.

      -Hildegard of Bingen, O ignis Spiritus Paracliti

Through you clouds stream, ether flies,
stones gain moisture,
water becomes streams,
And the earth exudes Life.

in magna symphonia
Et hoc in alto voce omnia elementa audierunt
Hoc audiant omnes celi
quia guttur serpentis antique
in istis margaritis
materie Verbi Dei
suffocatum est.

      -Hildegard of Bingen, O Ecclesia

In a single great sound
Their voices were heard by all the Elements
Let all the heavens hear
Because the ancient serpent is suffocated
by these pearls,
made from the Word of God.

Unde quocumque venientes perrexerunt
Velut cum gudio celestis paradisi
suscepte sunt,
quia in morum honorifice
apparuerunt.

And thus,
wherever they went they were welcomed,
for the joy of celestial paradise,
which they received,
Was the honor of their life

Deus enim rorem in illas misit,
de qou multiplex fama crevit,
ita quod omnes populi exhac honorabili fama
velut cibum gustabant.

      -Hildegard of Bingen, In Matutinis Laudibus

For truly God showered them in a dew,
from which grew many aspects of fame,
thus all people partook of this honorable fame
as nourishment.

Alleluia!  Amen.

Performed by the Nebraska Children’s Chorus Bel Canto
(Dr. Sean Burton, conductor)