Arte Dei Suonatori, Cantus humanus – „Buxtehude: Membra Jesu Nostri”

Arte Dei Suonatori, Cantus humanus – „Buxtehude: Membra Jesu Nostri”

"Membra Jesu Nostri" is a cycle of seven cantatas by Dieterich Buxtehude set to fragments of the medieval text Rhytmica oratio. Arnulf von Leuven's sermons in verse contemplate the body of Christ hanging on the cross. The cycle consists of seven cantatas. Each of them consists of four links arranged in the sequence sonata, tutti, aria, tutti. All arias consist of three verses with a changing vocal cast in each of them, separated by instrumental ritornels. The instrumental cast consists of two violins, a violone and a basso continuo. In cantata VI dedicated to the heart (Ad cor), Buxtehude replaces the violin with a consort viol da gamba. Buxtehude's music masterfully harmonizes with Arnulf von Leuven's poem. In Membra Jesu Nostri we find a wide range of rhetorical means. Both in the tutti parts and in the solo sections, Buxtehude illustrates individual words with extraordinary mastery in a way that does not violate the fluidity of the narrative and the beauty of the melody. The new recording of Membra Jesu nostri was made in 2024 and is the result of cooperation between artists co-creating the Magna Opera Sacra festival, which has been taking place in the Lubusz region for a decade. The first Polish recording of Dieterich Buxtehudeh's compositions was undertaken by the Arte Dei Suonatori band, accompanied by soloists: Marzena Michałowska (soprano), Marta Krysiak (soprano), Piotr Olech (countertenor), Karol Kozłowski (tenor) and Maciej Straburzyński (bass). The choral parts were performed by the choir of the University of Zielona Góra, Cantus humanus. The recording was led by Bartłomiej Stankowiak from the conductor's desk. Publisher: RecArt. Release Date: March 2025