For Passion in 1680 Dieterich Buxtehude composed his largest work in the style of an oratorio, the cantata cycle Membra Jesu nostri, and he dedicated it to his friend, the Swedish Court Music Director, Gustav Düben. In each of the seven separate cantatas which, in principle, follow the scheme “instrumental introduction – choral movement with biblical texts – vocal soli (aria) with a sacred text from the Middle Ages – repetition of the choral movement,” the feet, knees, hands, side, chest, heart and face of the crucified Christ are interpreted allegorically.
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