Membra Jesu Nostri, the Passion according to Buxtehude

Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 8:30 PM

Estimated Run Time: 1 hour

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

With Membra Jesu nostri, Dietrich Buxtehude delivers one of the only cycles in his oeuvre. It consists of seven cantatas evoking the wounds of Christ crucified, drawing on a very ancient tradition of devotion: Jesus' wounds are the symbol of his martyrdom to save mankind. They are the starting point for this meditative score, built on an ascending movement: we first linger on Christ's feet, then move on to his knees, hands, side, chest, and heart, finally arriving at his face. It is not clear what Buxtehude's work was intended for, nor whether the cantatas were performed one after the other as a whole, but they are undoubtedly among the composer's masterpieces. Their rigorous structure and balance are exemplary, serving to evoke emotion and reflection. Buxtehude is often cited as one of Bach's great predecessors, and this score confirms the legitimacy of that assertion.

Photo by ©Yannick Boschat

Program

Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707)
Membra Jesu nostri BuxWV 75

Cast

Vocal Ensemble of the Maîtrise Notre-Dame de Paris
Yves Castagnet, orgue
Henri Chalet, direction