Work in progress
Excerpt recorded live at Neimenster Abbey, Luxembourg, 29th of June 2019, Sirens’ call festival :
1 – Ave Generosa
2 – ô tu Suavissima Virga
The Enclosure of God’s Mysteries is an image defining the human being in the works of Hildegard von Bingen, the Twelfth Century composer, abbess, healer, visionary, prophetess and saint.
Her influence can be felt down to this day, and we still perform her works.
This image, The Enclosure of God’s Mysteries, is a good illustration of her vision of the human being inhabited by dense, flourishing and mystifying inner worlds which are beyond his comprehension.
Music is one of those dimensions which transports the human being and goes beyond him in many aspects.
After having delved into Hildegard von Bingen’s realm of songs and visions, Uriel Barthélémi and Claire Parsons have chosen certain pieces which they revisit in their own way and circumnavigate freely.
A number of these songs make use of images which are both close to God and nature. Hildegard von Bingen, who was a great observer of nature, always used charged words relating to the awareness of the elements surrounding us, giving her visions a simple yet deeply profound form.
The music’s mystical aspect, the question of the relationship with the divine, its ability to be intangible and ephemeral simultaneously, whilst giving the impression that it exists eternally and timelessly, is queried and explored, leading the performers – and the audience – into subtle, enchanting realms.
Through the distinctive quality of her melodies, Hildegard makes you think; she guides the mind; and she proffers a vast and brilliant field of creative possibilities. The very free and personal interpretation of these songs adds a dimension rarely explored in this type of music, providing it with a multifaceted backdrop which is both contemporary and timeless.
La Clôture des mystères de Dieu est une image définissant l’être humain chez Hildegarde Von Bingen, compositrice, abbesse, guérisseuse, visionnaire, prophétesse et sainte du XII siècle.
Son influence résonne encore jusqu’à aujourd’hui, et nous interprétons toujours ses ouvrages.
Cette image, La Clôture des mystères de Dieu, illustre bien sa vision de l’humain, habité de mondes intérieurs dense et florissants, mystérieux et qui dépassent son entendement.
La musique est l’une de ces dimensions qui transporte l’humain et le dépasse par bien des aspects.
Après s’être plongé dans son univers de chants et de visions, Uriel Barthélémi et Claire Parsons ont choisis certains chants qu’ils revisitent à leur manière et autour desquels ils naviguent librement.
Plusieurs de ces chants utilisent des images à la fois proches de Dieu et proches de la nature. Hildegarde Von Bingen, grande observatrice de la nature, utilise toujours des mots chargés de la conscience des éléments qui nous entoure, donnant à ses visions une forme à la fois simple et très profonde.
L’aspect mystique de la musique, la question de la relation au divin, sa capacité à être à la fois impalpable et éphémère tout en donnant l’impression qu’elle existe éternellement, en dehors du temps, est questionné, exploré, emmenant les interprètes – et les spectateurs – dans des univers subtils et enchanteurs.
Par la particularité de ses mélodies, Hildegarde interpelle, oriente la pensée et offre un champ de possible vaste et rayonnant. L’interprétation très libre et personnelle de ces chants apporte une dimension rarement explorée sur ce type de musique, lui offrant un écrin à plusieurs facettes, à la fois moderne et hors du temps.
Claire Parsons : Chant, Keyboards, electronics, arrangements
Uriel Barthélémi : Conception, Percussions, electronics, arrangements
This project has been produced by Neimenster abbey, Luxembourg city
and been performed at Siren’s call festival on the 29th of June 2019 as a result of a first residency.
About Claire Parsons :
Claire Parsons is the rising star of Luxembourg’s musical scene. Not without a reason. The singer of British origin who’s been playing the piano as well as classical and electrical guitar since early childhood has made her passion a profession, and can be heard on stage regularly in different setups. Parsons won « Best upcoming musician » Award at the end of 2018 from the Luxembourg Music Awards. She plays and composes in various bands such as Claire Parsons & Eran Har Even Duo, Aishinka, deLäb Orchästra, etc, which allowed her to play on multiple international and national stages and festivals.
