“Most people associate the golden age of Lutheran music in Germany with J.S. Bach, but it was already in full bloom a generation earlier, when Danish-born Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) was working in Lübeck. Unlike many other Protestants, Martin Luther loved the emotional power of devotional music, which gets a particularly beautiful example in this new disc from Les Voix Baroques, a young Montreal ensemble led by countertenor Matthew White. Membra Jesu Nostri (literally "the body parts of our Jesus") meditates on the seven corporeal sufferings of the Messiah while he hangs on the cross. The result here is mesmerizing in its mix of gentleness and intensity – instrumentally and vocally (the recording includes soprano Suzie LeBlanc). Top track: Cantata VI: The Heart.” ! ( Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri-Atmaclassique)"
Date:
Tue, 07/17/2007