K. Christian McGuire, M.A. Musicology, University of Minnesota (2007)

Symphonia Caritatis: The Cistercian Chants of Hildegard von Bingen

ABSTRACT

This thesis provides the first comparative analysis situating the chants of Hildegard von Bingen within the mid-12th century Cistercian liturgical reform. In applying Cistercian theory, a clear distinction between the melodies written before and after Hildegard’s move to the Rupertsberg is exposed. In practice, her later chants demonstrate shared compositional strategies and motifs with the chants composed under the Cistercian reform, as evidenced by antiphonals from the third quarter of the 12th century. Moreover, cross-referencing subjects represented within the Dendermonde Codex with those feasts added to the Cistercian calendar between 1150 and 1175 suggests that the liturgy celebrated at the Rupertsberg was Cistercian influenced. A review of Hildegard’s correspondence in her later years suggests that she intended the Cistercian liturgy to continue after her death.

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