Modus und Melos

The chants of Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179) differ from those of classical Gregorian chant. But what are the differences? What corresponds to the rules or customs of her time, and what is unique to her chants? Hildegard's chants are examined according to individual parameters and compared with the rules formulated by music theorists, as well as with some compositions from her time. The detailed examination of the mode and melodic structure of her chants provides new insights into their peculiarities and similarities with other works of the 12th century. Transposed notation, modulation, and modal centonization in particular are discussed in detail.