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Una Santa Oscura

by Ian Wilson

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1.
Devotional 1 04:55
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2.
Interlude 1 01:54
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3.
Visionary 1 01:50
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4.
Tirade 03:13
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5.
Devotional 2 03:24
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6.
Interlude 2 01:47
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7.
Intense Love [Richardis] 03:56
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8.
Visionary 2 04:46
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9.
Devotional 3 02:24
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10.
Interlude 3 01:50
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11.
Near Death Experience 05:09
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12.
Visionary 3 07:14
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13.
Devotional 4 04:50
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about

The main source of inspiration for my 2009 stage work "Una Santa Oscura" (“a dark saint”) is Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th-century German abbess, mystic and composer. The music is partly ritualistic and meditative in nature, structured to reflect a ‘cloistered’ day with its alternations of various rituals, prayers and recurring motifs. Different ethnic styles of string instrument playing were absorbed into the writing, reflecting the possible Mediterranean and North African influences on music in Hildegard’s time. An element of conflict is also present, reflecting Hildegard’s contentious activities and ideas. A particularly important element in Hildegard’s life was her constant struggle to articulate her visions, a struggle which would often leave her physically ill; this persistent strife is a central theme in the work.

The various movements in "Una Santa Oscura" alternate between lyrical 'Devotion' movements, and Dance-type sections inspired the visions which intermittently overtook Hildegard – her descriptions of which led neurologist Oliver Sachs to say she suffered classic symptoms of migraine. Interspersed among the main movement types are various Interludes which allude, in turn, to her personal relationships and other events in her life, as well as more mundane quotidian rituals such as cooking and washing.

An electronically-generated soundtrack (made in collaboration with Stephen McCourt and John Greenwood) plays continuously, and much of its basis is one of Hildegard’s compositions, 'Ave Maria, O auctrix vite' [Hail Mary, O source of life]. Almost all the electronic sounds are sourced from violinist Ioana Petcu-Colan playing and singing, who is also the performer on this recording.

credits

released March 4, 2010

Composed by Ian Wilson
Electronic soundtrack realized in collaboration with Stephen McCourt and John Greenwood
Recorded 17.01.2010 at CCMCM, University of Limerick, Ireland
Ioana Petcu-Colan, violin
Engineered by Stephen McCourt and John Greenwood
Produced by Ian Wilson
Cover image by Jack Phelan
"Una Santa Oscura" was created with funds from an Arts Council of Ireland Project Award

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Ian Wilson Cork, Ireland

Ian Wilson (Belfast, 1964) has composed over 200 works in many different genres which have been performed and broadcast on six continents. He is a member of Aosdána, Ireland’s national association of creative artists, and his music is published by G. Ricordi & Co. Ltd and Universal Edition. ... more

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