New Creations

In this chapter Hildegard’s presumed output before Liber vite meritorum is discussed, including Scivias, her correspondence, Physica, Cause et cure, the Lingua ignota and Litterae ignotae, the Gospel homilies, commentary on the Benedictine Rule, and her musical collection Symphonia armonie celestium revelationum. The structure of Scivias, its illuminations, and the musically important closing concert, with its song texts and short version of Ordo virtutum, are emphasized. The nature and genesis of the Symphonia is examined, and its differing structure in the Dendermonde and Riesencodex is laid out and explained. The significance of the 1150s for Hildegard’s activity closes the chapter.