MUSI 106. Winds of Pleasure: The Music and Writing of Hildegard of Bingen in Context and Revival

Celebrated for her prophetic powers, Hildegard of Bingen was a 12th century composer, abbess, writer of three natural science and medicinal texts, and a sought-after resource for contemporary political and religious leaders.  This course examines the music, drama, sermons, letters, and medicinal works written by the visionary and polymath, contextualizing Hildegard's compositional style within medieval genres. Special attention will be given to liturgical drama, the recording and compilation of Hildegard's work during the Middle Ages, compositional aspects of Hildegard's music, representations of gender, the body, and sexuality in her music and writing.  The Hildegard revival of the 19th and 20th centuries will provide case studies (ranging from Anonymous 4 to Swedish folk rock) to analyze contemporary performance practices.
Prerequisite: MUSI 011   or permission of the instructor.
1 credit.
Department website: Music and Dance: Music  


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