Buxtehude: Membra Jesu Nostri

Purcell Quartet / Emma Kirkby

  • AllMusic Rating
    7
  • User Ratings (0)
  • Your Rating

Buxtehude: Membra Jesu Nostri Review

by James Manheim

Dietrich Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri, BuxWV 75 ("The Body Parts of Our Jesus"), can be sung by a choir and soloists, but the case for the one-voice-per-part performance heard here is unusually strong, and most of the available versions feature a "chorus" consisting merely of the four soloists together. It is not known for what occasion Buxtehude intended the music, but it has no liturgical use; it consists of a group of poetic meditations, with relevant biblical verses interpolated, on (in order) Christ's feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart, and face. This intrinsically philosophical concept seems intended for the contemplation of a small group of musicians and listeners. It also invites a kind of graphic emotion, which this group of English musicians largely avoids. Compare a bit of this recording with the more emotionally intense reading by Konrad Junghänel's Cantus Cölln group to see which you prefer. The work's modest dimensions flatter the voice of veteran soprano Emma Kirkby, but it is the rich countertenor of Michael Chance that stands out among the singers. An unusual feature of the performance is the mixed group of strings, with violins on top, from the Purcell Quartet, and old-style viols on the bottom from the ensemble Fretwork; the combination may or may not be historically justifiable, but the viols darken the sound in an attractive way and work well in the resonant acoustic of London's St-Jude-on-the-Hill church. The booklet is superior, with full translations from Latin into English, German, and French. Not the only choice for this fascinating piece, but worth consideration for those favoring a soberer approach.

Track Listing

Title/Composer Performer Time Stream
Membra Jesu nostri, BuxWV 75
1 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 00:45 SpotifyAmazon
2 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:14 SpotifyAmazon
3 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 04:59 SpotifyAmazon
4 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:17 SpotifyAmazon
5 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 00:59 SpotifyAmazon
6 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:04 SpotifyAmazon
7 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:34 SpotifyAmazon
8 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 03:44 SpotifyAmazon
9 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:39 SpotifyAmazon
10 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 00:57 SpotifyAmazon
11 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:59 SpotifyAmazon
12 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 05:07 SpotifyAmazon
13 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 02:15 SpotifyAmazon
14 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 00:27 SpotifyAmazon
15 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:45 SpotifyAmazon
16 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 04:40 SpotifyAmazon
17 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:59 SpotifyAmazon
18 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 00:41 SpotifyAmazon
19 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 02:20 SpotifyAmazon
20 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 05:21 SpotifyAmazon
21 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 02:40 SpotifyAmazon
22 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:48 SpotifyAmazon
23 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 02:22 SpotifyAmazon
24 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 03:04 SpotifyAmazon
25 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 02:28 SpotifyAmazon
26 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 00:51 SpotifyAmazon
27 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:47 SpotifyAmazon
28 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 03:52 SpotifyAmazon
29 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 01:26 SpotifyAmazon
30 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 04:56 SpotifyAmazon
31 Emma Kirkby / Purcell Quartet 08:44 SpotifyAmazon
blue highlight denotes track pick