Lux Vivens (Living Light): The Music Of Hildegard Von Bingen

Lux Vivens (Living Light): The Music Of Hildegard Von BingenThis recording of 12th-century mystic Hildegard von Bingen’s music is a sheer delight, a beautiful collection of compositions for which the Benedictine nun (considered a saint, although never formally canonized) claimed divine inspiration. Listening to singer Jocelyn Montgomery’s gorgeous renditions, that’s easy to believe. Lushly produced by David Lynch, Lux Vivens has a clarity and presence of sound that does the material justice. The accompaniment itself is fairly thin, confined to sparse instrumentation and the inclusion of crashing waves, wind, tolling bells, or birdsong; this allows the beauty of the melodies themselves to shine through unimpeded. The selections include both secular (“Battle and Transition,” “Et Ideo”) and sacred (“Gloria Patri,” “Kyrie”), though it’s the melodies that capture the listener’s ear. Enchanting and often otherworldly, Lux Vivens is a listening experience that’s both subtle and sublime. — Genevieve Williams

• Mammoth / Umgd