SOMM Recordings announces the exciting label debut of Voice with Hildegard Portraits, marking the tenth anniversary of the canonization of the 12th-century spiritual leader, theologian, mystic, scientist and composer, St. Hildegard of Bingen. Hailed by Gramophone as inheritors of "the slot left by the dissolution of Anonymous 4", Voice - Emily Burn, Victoria Couper and Clemmie Franks - formed in 2006. Singing together since their early teens in the Oxford Girls' Choir, and as members of Stevie Wishart's Sinfonye, they have toured throughout the UK, USA and Europe. Hildegard Portraits draws on close relationships between Voice and the featured composers. It takes it's title from the first recording of Laura Moody's seven-part setting of Hildegard's letters forming a portrait, Moody says, of "not so much a saint, seer or symbol, but a woman who lived and loved". Their collaboration with "friend and mentor" Stevie Wishart continues with first recordings of Aseruz trium vocum and O choruscans lux (choir version), responses to what Voice describe as "the soaring, melismatic lines, the flourishes and ornamentation, and mesmerizing unison sound" of St. Hildegard's own music, heard to sublime effect in six pieces, including O clarissima mater, O virtus sapientie and Nunc gaudeant. Other exclusive/first recordings include Marcus Davidson's Musical Harmony and O Boundless Ecclesia, Emily Levy's compelling blend of folk-inspired melody and Hildegardian ornamentation, How Sweetly You Burn, and Tim Lea Young's Three Wings: pt.1 (all composed, like Moody's title work, for Voice).Ivan Moody's O quam mirabilis exquisitely sets Hildegard's own text "expressing to perfection awe at the mystery of the Creator God."

Tracklist:

O Clarissima Mater (Arr. S. Wishart & Voice For 3 Voices)
O Quam Mirabilis
Hildegard Portraits: Humility
Hildegard Portraits: Universe As Body
Three Wings, Pt. 1: In Una Via (Version For 3 Voices)
O Virtus Sapientie (Arr. S. Wishart & Voice For 3 Voices)
Musical Harmony
Aseruz Trium Vocum (After H. Von Bingen) [Arr. Voice For 3 Voices]
Hildegard Portraits: Sermon
Hildegard Portraits: Sing
O Mirum Admirandum (Arr. S. Wishart & Voice For Voice)
O Choruscans Lux (After H. Von Bingen) [Version For Choir]
O Orzchis Ecclesia (Arr. S. Wishart & Voice For 3 Voices)
O Boundless Ecclesia
Hildegard Portraits: O Woman
Hildegard Portraits: Love
How Sweetly You Burn
Unde Quocumque Venientes (Arr. S. Wishart & Voice For 3 Voices)
Hildegard Portraits: The Living Light
Nunc Gaudeant (Arr. S. Wishart & Voice For 3 Voices)

UPC: 748871065222
Label: Somm Recordings
Release Date: 11.18.22
Format: CD

St Hildegard of Bingen / Burn / Franks - Hildegard Portraits (CD)