Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri - Duke Vespers Ensemble
Introduction (16:45)
1. Ad pedes - to the feet (19:30)
2. Ad genua - to the knees (27:40)
3. Ad manus - to the hands (35:35)
4. Ad latus - to the side (44:50)
5. Ad pectus - to the breast (51:42)
6. Ad cor - to the heart (1:02:50)
7. Ad faciem - to the face (1:13:35)
The Duke Vespers Ensemble presented Dietrich Buxtehude's oratorio Membra Jesu Nostri on Sunday, April 21, at 4:00 pm (EST) in Duke Chapel.
ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE
The Duke Vespers Ensemble is an active chamber choir based at Duke University Chapel in Durham, NC. Consisting of approximately 20 volunteer members from the Duke and Durham communities, the choir is directed by Brian A. Schmidt, Assistant Conductor and Administrative Coordinator for Chapel Music. The group leads the Choral Vespers worship services every Thursday at 5:15 pm. This 45-minute candlelight service consists of scripture readings, prayers, and sacred motets and service music ranging from Renaissance to recently composed and commissioned works. All services are available online at [http://youtube.com/dukechapel]
BUXTEHUDE - MEMBRA JESU NOSTRI
This 17th-century masterwork is constructed of seven cantatas, each dedicated to one of "the most holy limbs of our suffering Jesus," as the title is translated. A professional Baroque orchestra of period instruments joined the Vespers Ensemble choir and soloists. The sixth movement, "Ad cor," is played on five bass viols.
Buxtehude's writing shows a remarkable sensitivity to the text, employing various combinations of solo and ensemble singing passages, contrasting with instrumental sonatas and ritornelli. "The musical colors in this work are varied and vivid, which all reveal Buxtehude's effort to augment these deeply spiritual and visual texts," says the ensemble's director, Brian A. Schmidt.
To complement the musical performance, Duke Chapel Music commissioned original artwork from artist Robyn Sand Anderson. These works, inspired by the text and music of the oratorio, also draw focus and inspiration from the suffering of Christ. Anderson's art, including a blog detailing the creation of her work for the Buxtehude project, can be found at robynsandanderson.com.
SINGERS
Sopranos - Kristen Blackman, Laura Dawalt, Lydia Greene, Samantha Arten, Ali Carnes, Stephanie Westen
Altos - Karen Cook, Erica Dunkle, Ruthan Freese, Meredith Hawley, Kerry McCarthy, Emily Terrell
Tenor - Jianghi Ho, Andrew Klumpp, Kyle Jones, Chris Shreve
Bass - David Durkop, Mark Kagika, Lewis Moore, Michael Lyle, Stephen Pysnik, Jake Ritter
ORCHESTRA
Violins - Fiona Hughes (concertmaster) Andrew Bonner, Katharina Uhde, John Pruett
Theorbo - Lyle Nordstrom
Continuo organ - Sarah Bereza
Baroque cello - Stephanie Vial
Violone - Robbie Link
Viola da gamba consort - Brent Wissick, Robbie Link, Bradshaw Lentz, Brian Jones, Allison Portnow
Live audio produced by Dirk Sobotka and Jesse Brayman of Soundmirror, Inc. Boston, MA
Video by Fred Westbrook of C'Access, Inc. Durham, NC
