Of the multifarious activities of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)—which included life as a Benedictine abbess, founding two monasteries, as well as being a poet and a writer on a wide range of subjects—composition of music to be sung during the liturgy was a vital feature for which she is mostly remembered. Her music largely stretched the boundaries of the chant of the time, often going beyond the common range that had become usual. It is of a lyrical nature, more often than not being particularly appropriate for the nature of the text. She combined all of her music into a collection entitled Symphonia armoniae celestium revelationum, the exact date of which is not known. Spiritus Sanctus vivificans is a dedicatory hymn to the Holy Spirit.

from notes by Adam Binks © 2010