Lux Vivens - the shining light of Hildegard von Bingen

Born in Bernersheim in 1098, Hildegard started having religious visions as a child. During her extensive theological education in several different monasteries, the visionary, author, theologian, scientist and musician wrote her  mystic doctrine  "Scivias" in 1141, that was approved by pope Eugene III a few years later, with her prophetic gift finally being approved. Several  theologist works and scientific studies in medicine were to follow, which are considered the most important sources of medieval knowledge of natural history. Hildegard also composed many melodies or different voices and tunes, which remain as fascinating as ever. In 1140, she left the monastery against all odds of clergymen and noblemen and founded the convent Bingen-Bingerbrück shortly afterwards, which she was the head of until her demise September 17th 1179. Jocelyn Montgomery, the singer of the chants of Hildegard von Bingen, had musical training already as a child. Later, she took lessons in violin at the Hungarian violin virtuoso Suzanna Rosza, until earning her living with joining a band of troubadours playing in London streets and subway stations for a brief period of time, before being discovered by soundtrack-composer and multi-instrumentalist Barry Adamson (ex-Magazine, ex-Bad Seeds). She also worked as a model and actress for Calvin Klein, Dave Stewart and The Verve among others. "I spent my holidays at the Rhine, when I got to know the co-producer [Heidrun Reshöft] of 'Lux Vivens'. She told me about the project. I found the idea very exciting as I had sung Hildegard von Bingen pieces before.  I think they are the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. They let you express such a wide range of emotions." 

Thanks to a mutual friend, she soon got introduced to the icon among Hollywood directors, David Lynch ("Eraserhead", "Blue Velvet", "Twin Peaks", "Lost Highway"...), who produced "Lux Vivens"  and directed the fragments of sound into soundtrack-like spheres. "Working with David was very relaxed. He`s very open-minded, always inspiring and supporting me. We didn`t have a clear vision at the beginning, what the album was to sound like. We used all instruments at hand and did a lot of improvising. David mostly spend the nights working on the songs. So each morning we came to the studio was surprise about the changes and his ideas. During the recording, there was this special magical atmosphere in the studio. We had the lyrics translated and read them to one another. There`s a special magic in these songs that`s impossible to describe. I think it`s captured by the album perfectly." Once in touch with the works of Hildegard von Bingen, Jocelyn Montgomery is spellbound by the hypnotic melodies. "I`m convinced these songs have changed my life in a way. They simply fill my heart entirely. We plan to do another project with similiar motifs, but more modern ballads this time. Besides, I hope to perform the songs of  'Lux Vivens' live  in some German churches and monasteries this year. It`s such an incredible experience to sing these breathtakingly beautiful chants at the original places of Hildegard`s life and work. I wonder what might have happened if I chose another direction and remained a model..."

Thomas Clausen