Hildegard von Bingen and the Living Light

Nearly 900 years ago, a medieval nun named Hildegard saw mysterious visions of golden rivers and spinning wheels of fire that no one else could see. This episode explores how she turned these mystical experiences into some of the oldest music we still have today.

Duration: 23 minutes | Composer: Hildegard von Bingen

What You'll Learn

  • Learn what plainchant is — a single melodic line sung without instruments or harmony, the oldest kind of Western music we still have
  • Discover that Hildegard lived nearly 900 years ago, in medieval times when there were no electric lights, cars, or phones
  • Understand what a monastery is — a place where monks or nuns lived, worked, and prayed together, dedicating their lives to God
  • Learn that Hildegard kept her visions secret for 40 years before sharing them — and that the courage to share what makes us different can change the world
  • Explore how Hildegard believed her music came directly from her visions — she called it the Living Light, and she said she was just writing down what she heard

Music Featured

Composer Title Source
Hildegard von Bingen O vis aeternitatis archive.org
Hildegard von Bingen Nunc aperuit nobis archive.org
Hildegard von Bingen O ignis spiritus Paracliti archive.org
Hildegard von Bingen O viridissima virga, Ave archive.org
Hildegard von Bingen Spiritus sanctus vivificans vite archive.org
Hildegard von Bingen Ave Maria, O auctrix vite archive.org
Hildegard von Bingen Caritas habundat in omnia archive.org
Hildegard von Bingen Instrumental Piece archive.org
Hildegard von Bingen O choruscans stellarum archive.org
Hildegard von Bingen O Pastor Animarum archive.org
Hildegard von Bingen O nobilissima viriditas archive.org