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About the Composer
Katerina Gimon
Katerina Gimon
O Virtus Sapientiae (SSAA)
A delicate and hauntingly beautiful arrangement of Hildegard von Bingen’s beloved chant.
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O Virtus Sapientiae
SSAA, soloists, a cappella
This delicate and hauntingly beautiful arrangement of Hildegard von Bingen’s beloved chant “O Virtus Sapientiae” (English: O strength of Wisdom) is great opener, processional, and/or selection for concerts celebrating music composed by women.
This arrangement was commissioned by the Orpheus Choir of Toronto (Robert Cooper, Artistic Director) and premiered on March 8, 2019, at Grace Church on-the-Hill in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Composer’s Notes
Conductor’s note:
“’O Virtus Sapientiae’ is an atmospheric work for choirs looking to include an ode to renaissance music through a modern setting. It feels fresh and an ‘inroad’ for a choir looking to try their hand at renaissance chant. ‘O Virtus’ requires two confident soloists with strong sense of pitch accuracy who are willing to explore the natural ebbs and flows of the chant. The choir part is deceivingly ‘easy’ with moments of cluster chords and slow addition of more voices to the free chant. Note – Do not be afraid to adjust the key of this piece to best help your choir find the widest variety of overtone colours.”
— Elise Naccarato, Myriad Ensemble, Artistic Director
Text
O virtus Sapientiae,
quae circuiens circuisti
comprehendendo omnia
in una via, quae habet vitam,
tres alas habens,
quarum una in altum volat,
et altera de terra sudat,
et tertia undique volat.
Laus tibi sit, sicut te decet,
O Sapientia.
— Hildegard von Bingen
English translation:
O strength of Wisdom
who, circling, circled,
enclosing all
in one lifegiving path,
three wings you have:
one soars to the heights,
one distills its essence upon the earth,
and the third is everywhere.
Praise to you, as is fitting,
O Wisdom.
$2.20 per licensed PDF
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