Riley Lee plays Hildegard with Tiana Lung (dance). “O Frondens Virga“ played on the shakuhachi 尺八.

Hildegard on the shakuhachi. How can this possibly work? Please subscribe to The music was composed originally for voice. It was sung within the context of Christian observances. It was composed by a female Catholic mystic and magistra (spiritual teacher) living in the 12th century in what is now Germany. Yet, here it is performed on a bamboo flute, which developed in Japan 500 years later, in the 17th century, as a mediative tool within the Zen Buddhism tradition. The performer is a male of Chinese/Irish/English ancestry, born in Texas in the mid 1950s and living in Australia. The recording was made in the 21st century, nearly one thousand years after Hildegard composed the song. And yet.... it works! It is, IMO, a prime example of how certain kinds of music, when played ’just right’, can effortlessly span centuries, continents and cultures. This is the first of three videos of my playing Hildegard’s music and Tiana Lung interpreting it through dance. If you want to learn more, and keep in touch with me, please join my personal music group on FB: Links to everywhere: Executive Producer - Riley Lee Producer - Emma Elias Directors - Emma Elias / Zac Hardaker Cinematographers - Emma Elias / Zac Hardaker Performances by - Riley Lee and Tiana Lung Editor - Zac Hardaker Production Assistant - Sophie Hattch Stills Photographer - Ben Holzwart BTS Cinematographer - Claire Harmer Composer - Hildegard von Bingen Sound - Bob Scott ©℗ Riley Lee 2021