Saturday 28 June
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You’re welcomed to step into the inspirational world of sound and music, guided by pianist and Lie Down and Listen founder Christina McMaster, inspired by 12th century Priestess, plant medicine healer, eco-activist and sonic visionary Hildegard Von Bingen.
Hildegard believed the four principles of good health were rest, a balanced diet, excersize and a moral life. During this very special evening we’ll be incorporating all four of these elements in truly immersive experience of vibration through sound, music, nature and nourishment.
The evening will share a discovery of her powerful vision ‘The Universe’ expressed through words, art and music in a narrative of pure creation, the power of the four elements and their meaning.
Mindful Garden Walk
Some of Hildegard's medicine was based in systems from China and India from 460BC where physicalities inform the personality types of which she believed there were four: hard, airy, stormy, fiery. During your garden tour you’ll learn how she also used the power of herbs and plants to nourish the body and support the healing process.
Lie Down and Listen: sound healing and lying down classical concert experience
Hildegard made forward thinking connections between how physical health could affect emotional states.
After your guided walk, you’ll be immersed in a sound experience using Tibetan bowls, koshi chimes and a live classical piano concert experience with Christina as you lay on luxurious mattresses, cushions and blankets.
Christina will guide you into the fascinating world of Hildegard through sharing her knowledge and visions, with music inspired by Hildegard’s vision of ‘The Universe’ which doesn’t denies the darkness, but instead leans right into the core of it in order to alchemise it into light. The music will merge with sounds of nature and sound healing instruments.
Candlelit Dinner
Hildegard’s nine books of her Physica list the medicinal benefits of plants, elements, trees, stones, fish, birds, reptiles and metals. These are based on her careful scientific observation. This special candlelit dinner will be served in the Orchard room with nourishing food based on the wisdom of plants uncovered by Hildegard. This will be an evening you’ll never forget.
In this journey through the four pillars of health, you’ll leave feeling empowered and emboldened in the spirit of creativity and inner wisdom.
"De-stress and get your culture fix all in one"
Evening Standard Magazine
"Utterly blissed out"
Financial Times
Join for the Lie Down and Listen: Lark Ascends experience on Sunday 29 June at Highgrove House.
Meet Your Host: Christina McMaster
Classical pianist, sound healer and founder of Lie Down and Listen
“She is an incredibly sensitive intuitive player who brings out the mystery and beauty of these pieces”
Sarah Walker BBC Radio 3
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“One of the most talked about concerts of our festival.” Alistair MacGowan, Artistic Director of Ludlow Piano Festival
Founder and Classical Pianist Christina McMaster noticed that it wasn't only the rituals of classical music concert halls that led to a disconnected listening experience, but in daily life, we are experiencing more disconnection than ever, leading to loneliness, anxiety, stress, sense of emptiness etc.
Lie down & Listen began after a chance meeting with Prof. Sir John Strang and a series of events at Kings College London to recreate the wellbeing benefits of a hallucinogenic experience without hallucinogenics- but simply using a certain combination of music in a lying down concert experience as they did in the 1960’s in downtown New York loft apartments where music of Philip Glass, Terry Riley, Steve Reich - also known as the New York Hypnotic School. After training in sound healing, Christina then evolved the meditation, sound healing and lying down concert experience of today which creates space for deep relaxation and for listeners to reconnect within.
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Find out more about Christina here.