Brackenbury Bianco - Wayward Mystic (Improvisations Inspired by Hildegard von Bingen)

Released 2nd September 2022

Improvised duo recording by violinist, vocalist and composer Faith Brackenbury and drummer Tony Bianco, inspired by the works of Hildegard von Bingen.

"In 2021 I handed Tony a CD of Saint Hildegard von Bingen's spiritual songs to listen to, and the next thing I know he has played an entire hour long drum track alongside the recording, in one sitting- and that it was so right. The sounds of his rolling-thunder-in-the-distance drumming and the ethereal monophonic vocal lines perfectly complimented, and my inspiration to try singing some, then add violin/viola layers with pedals and improvise, was ignited. In learning some of these beautiful Latin songs I have found a crossover with Coltrane, and the modal music that he was exploring, and which gives great scope for improvising. I also continue to learn more about this remarkable 12th century abbess, who was the first German mystic, a prophet, herbalis