2.Discuss the work of a medieval composer. Examine what is known (and Essay

2.Discuss the work of a medieval composer. Examine what is known (and what is not known) about the specific details of the composers life and what is known a - Essay Example In 1098, a tenth child was born to two wealthy members ÃŽ ¿f the nobility, Hildebert and Mechtilde, in Bockelheim, Germany. This child, a daughter, was given to the Church as a tax, and became Saint Hildegard ÃŽ ¿f Bingen, a composer, visionary, healer and author ÃŽ ¿f major theological works. In the 12th century, Hildegard ÃŽ ¿f Bingen was one ÃŽ ¿f very few female composers, and also part ÃŽ ¿f a small minority ÃŽ ¿f medieval women who could even read or write. Her visions and instruction from God were initially questioned, and she met difficulty in making many ÃŽ ¿f her visions’ instructions into reality. Hildegard ÃŽ ¿f Bingen spent her life constantly defending the validity ÃŽ ¿f her visions, while gaining a form ÃŽ ¿f fame within the western world, which was rare for a woman in that time. Although many ÃŽ ¿f her strictly literary works reinforce many traditional beliefs ÃŽ ¿f the church, her music itself, in its lyrics and actual melodic construction embodies many different, even liberal ideas and images. By studying her life, accomplishments, compositions and other works, it is clear that Hildegard ÃŽ ¿f Bingen broke many patriarchal norms within her society, and saw recognition for her work beyond that ÃŽ ¿f any other women ÃŽ ¿f her time. When Hildegard was given to the church at the age ÃŽ ¿f eight, partially because she was the tenth child which was also known as the â€Å"tithe† child for wealthy families, and was usually given to the church. Also, she was sickly in health from a very young age, and also recalls having visions at an early age, mainly a vision ÃŽ ¿f an inexplicably bright light at the age ÃŽ ¿f three. Giving a child to the church as a tax was also a respectable way for noble families to deal with physically or mentally ill children, which is quite possibly how her explanations ÃŽ ¿f her early visions may have sounded to her parents. Likely because ÃŽ ¿f those experiences at such a