Buxtehude Concert on Passion Sunday

Membra Jesu nostri patientis sanctissima

The work to be performed is Membra Jesu nostri patientis sanctissima (The Most Holy Limbs of Our Suffering Jesus), a cycle of seven movements, each devoted to a part of the suffering Body of Jesus. “The first movement is Ad pedes, ‘To the feet,’ ” explains Director of Sacred Music Scott Turkington. Subsequent movements honor Our Lord’s knees, hands, side, breast, heart, and face. “So these are all meditations. If you were in front of Christ crucified, you would probably have a similar meditation.” The cycle is thus ideally suited to lead listeners, through imaginative contemplation, into the days commemorating Christ’s Passion.

A Moving Experience

Entering musically and emotionally into an experience of standing before Christ crucified, in the grandeur of Baroque style, can certainly have an overwhelming aspect. “It’s not going to be dramatic in the sense that we would think of a nineteenth-century opera,” Turkington comments. “But in its own context it is quite dramatic. There are some hopeful moments; there are many loving moments, very beautiful, tender, loving moments, and of course, because of the subject matter, some very sad moments.” Those looking for ways to reawaken their hearts to Our Lord’s sacrifice may find that Buxtehude’s cycle stirs up their minds and hearts to that reality.