The Combat of Life and Death

Martyrdom and resurrection

The greatest battle of them all, celebrated in music across the centuries. The Christian martyrs are the warriors and the ultimate victory comes with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We start with two soaring, ecstatic plainchant sequences of the 12th century Abbess Hildegard of Bingen, portraying both the martyrdom of St Ursula and the life-giving nature of the Holy Spirit of God. A lament upon the death by drowning of the Emperor Frederick Barbarosa is followed by a frankly blood-thirsty song of the Holy Innocents celebrating the death of King Herod. After a 13th century motet in which simultaneous texts are sung, one about death, the other about life, we close the first half with works in honour of the martyrs St Catherine of Alexandria and St. Stephen.

The second half of the programme begins with the cumulative excitement of an iso-rhythmic motet (in which the tempo seems to increase dangerously towards the end), once again featuring St Catherine, followed by a dance-like carol in honour of St Thomas of Canterbury. The Blessed Virgin Mary is often held as an example of life-giving grace (Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra), and the following more contemplative pieces include votive antiphons and the moving memorial of her suffering by the cross of her son. The programme concludes with the jubilant plainchant Easter sequence Victime paschali laudes and a setting of the Easter introit Hec dies quam fecit dominus rejoicing at Christ's resurrection; a suitably up-beat finish to celebrate the triumphant victory of life.

You can listen to the following pieces from this programme:

• Salve Regina       
• Pange melos lacrimosum