Dieterich Buxtehude dedicated Membra Jesu Nostri to Gustav Düben, the Hofkapellmeister at the Royal Swedish court and Buxtehude's "most noble friend," as stated on the manuscript's title page.
Composition History
The unique manuscript of Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri, dated 1680, is preserved at Uppsala University Library as part of the large Düben collection.
Historical Context
Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri reflects the 17th-century musical innovation that saw a cross-fertilization between expressive Italian music and Northern European contrapuntal traditions.
Compositional Technique
The Membra Jesu Nostri cycle is designed with a rational scheme of keys, with the first and last cantatas in C minor, and other cantatas organized in a circle of fifths.
Composition History
Membra Jesu Nostri is a compilation of seven compositions united by devotional meditations on the limbs and wounds of the crucified Jesus, based on medieval hymns by Arnulf of Leuven, a Cistercian monk and mystic.
Performer Biography
Magnus Kjellson, the artistic director of Göteborg Baroque, is the recipient of the prestigious Swedish Early Music Award for his work in the field.
Instruments
For this recording, Göteborg Baroque uses a claviorgan, a combination of a harpsichord and an organ, which has 18 notes per octave to allow for clean intonation in all keys.
You might also enjoy...
Buxtehude: Membra Jesu nostri, BuxWV 75
Buxtehude, D.: Membra Jesu Nostri
Buxtehude: Opera Omnia XVI - Vocal Works 6: Membra Jesu Nostri
