O Wisdom SSA - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.873040

My family were early adopters on Compact Disc technology. Whilst my school peers in the late 80s and early 90s were collecting tapes for their VHS video recorders, my family were collecting hi-fidelity CD recordings of classical masterworks. Three of these CDs stick in my mind; a period instrument performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed by Trevor Pinnock and The English Concert; a recording of the 1812 overture which boasted Real Cannons (and also warned listeners against setting the volume too high because it might damage the equipment!); and A feather on the breath of God, an album of works by Hildegard performed by Gothic Voices with soloist Emma Kirkby. Thus began my life long love affair with the life and works of Hildegard.

I have been performing this particular Hildegard chant O Virtus Sapientiae in solo piano recitals since around 2014. Basically, I have been freely improvising on it, so it’s different each time. Some ideas formed during those improvisations which have really stuck in my brain. I’ve transferred some of these into this a cappella work. 

Sally Whitwell

In una via, quae habet vitam

(In one path, which gives life)

O Strength of Wisdom

Who circling circled, enclosing all

Growing from the earth

Soaring in the heights

One life-giving path

Of omnipresent light

Laus tibi sit, sicut te decet

O Sapientiae

(Praise to you, as is fitting,

O Wisdom)