Membra Jesu Nostri

MEMBRA JESU NOSTRI – BUXTEHUDE REFLECTED THROUGH TIME

On this deeply moving and artistically ambitious release, the acclaimed vocal ensemble Nordic Voices and the dynamic period ensemble Nivalis Barokk present a bold new interpretation of Membra Jesu Nostri by Dietrich Buxtehude, interwoven with Buxtehude Echoes, seven new instrumental meditations by contemporary Norwegian composer Nils Henrik Asheim.

Buxtehude’s cycle of seven cantatas, composed in 1680, is one of the earliest known examples of a passion cycle and stands as a cornerstone of early Baroque sacred music. With its direct emotional power and expressive intimacy, Membra Jesu Nostri contemplates the suffering of Christ through vivid musical language and poetic texts drawn from medieval and biblical sources.

Asheim’s Buxtehude Echoes offer a contemporary counterpart to this masterpiece, composed as a sequence of sonic reflections—each movement subtly mirroring and expanding the emotional and spiritual resonance of the original cantatas. Performed on historical instruments, Asheim’s music bridges the centuries, engaging with Buxtehude’s material through a lens of timbre, silence, and transformation.

This recording brings together performers at the height of their interpretative powers. Nordic Voices is celebrated for its precision, vocal color, and adventurous programming, while Nivalis Barokk brings authenticity and vitality to early music performance. Together, they offer a musical experience that is both rooted in tradition and daringly modern.

The result is not only a rich listening experience but also a meditative journey across time, faith, and musical expression.