Membra Jesu Nostri (Dietrich Buxtehude)

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Complete (choral parts only)

• (Posted 2003-08-26)  CPDL #05550:   

Editor: Michael Dreschel (submitted 2003-08-26).   Score information: A4, 23 pages, 252 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: 8 choral movements (chorus parts only). For source and midi files, see listings for individual movements

Individual cantatas

I. Ad pedes (feet)

Complete cantata:

• (Posted 2008-12-21)  CPDL #18631: 

Editor: Shigekazu Nimura (submitted 2008-12-21).   Score information: A4, 14 pages, 285 kB   Copyright: personal

Edition notes:

2/6. Concerto Ecce super montes:

• (Posted 2003-08-25)  CPDL #05541:       

Editor: Michael Dreschel (submitted 2003-08-25).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 36 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: choral parts only

3. Aria. Salve mundi salutare:

• (Posted 2003-08-25)  CPDL #05542:       

Editor: Michael Dreschel (submitted 2003-08-25).   Score information: A4, 1 page, 28 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: choral parts only

Voicing: SSATB chorus, SSB soli.
Instruments: 2 violins, 2 violas (da gamba), Basso continuo

II. Ad genua (knees)

Complete cantata:

• (Posted 2008-12-23)  CPDL #18641: 

Editor: Shigekazu Nimura (submitted 2008-12-23).   Score information: A4, 26 pages, 344 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

2/6. Concerto Ad ubera portabimini:

• (Posted 2003-08-25)  CPDL #05543:       

Editor: Michael Dreschel (submitted 2003-08-25).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 44 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Choral parts only.

Voicing: SSATB chorus, SSATB soli.
Instruments: 2 violins, viola (da gamba), Basso continuo

III. Ad manus (hands)

Complete cantata:

• (Posted 2008-12-27)  CPDL #18678: 

Editor: Shigekazu Nimura (submitted 2008-12-27).   Score information: A4, 22 pages, 324 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

2/6. Concerto Quid sunt plagae:

• (Posted 2003-08-25)  CPDL #05544:       

Editor: Michael Dreschel (submitted 2003-08-25).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 32 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: choral parts only

Voicing: SSATB chorus, SSATB soli.
Instruments: 2 violins, 2 violas (da gamba), Basso continuo

IV. Ad latus (side)

Complete cantata:

• (Posted 2008-12-29)  CPDL #18689: 

Editor: Shigekazu Nimura (submitted 2008-12-29).   Score information: A4, 30 pages, 407 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

2/6. Concerto Surge amica mea:

• (Posted 2003-08-25)  CPDL #05545:       

Editor: Michael Dreschel (submitted 2003-08-25).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 44 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: choral parts only

Voicing: SSATB chorus, SSATB soli.
Instruments: 2 violins, 2 violas (da gamba), Basso continuo

V. Ad pectus (chest)

Complete cantata:

• (Posted 2009-01-02)  CPDL #18703: 

Editor: Shigekazu Nimura (submitted 2009-01-02).   Score information: A4, 12 pages, 332 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

Voicing: ATB chorus, ATB soli.
Instruments: 2 violins, viola da gamba, Basso continuo

VI. Ad cor (heart)

Complete cantata:

• (Posted 2009-01-04)  CPDL #18713: 

Editor: Shigekazu Nimura (submitted 2009-01-04).   Score information: A4, 32 pages, 492 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

Voicing: SSB chorus, SSB soli.
Instruments: 5 violas da gamba, Basso continuo

VII. Ad faciem (visage)

Complete cantata:

• (Posted 2009-01-07)  CPDL #18726: 

Editor: Shigekazu Nimura (submitted 2009-01-07).   Score information: A4, 17 pages, 436 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

2. Concerto Illustra faciem tuam:

• (Posted 2003-08-25)  CPDL #05546:       

Editor: Michael Dreschel (submitted 2003-08-25).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 36 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: choral parts only

5. Aria Cum me jubes emigrare:

• (Posted 2003-08-25)  CPDL #05547:       

Editor: Michael Dreschel (submitted 2003-08-25).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 28 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: choral parts only

6. Concerto Amen:

• (Posted 2003-08-25)  CPDL #05548:       

Editor: Michael Dreschel (submitted 2003-08-25).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 44 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: choral parts only

Voicing: SSATB chorus, ATB soli.
Instruments: 2 violins, viola da gamba, Basso continuo

General Information

Title: Membra Jesu Nostri
Composer: Dietrich Buxtehude
Lyricist: Arnulf of Louvain

Number of voices: 5 and 3vv, plus 5 soli   Voicings: SSATB (1,2,3,4,7), ATB (5) and SSB (6). Soloists: 2 Sopranos, Alto, Tenor and Bass.
Genre: Sacred, Cantata

Language: Latin
Instruments: Strings, and viol consort: 2 violins & basso continuo; only 6. Ad Cor uses the 5 viol parts

First published: 1680
Description: This is a cycle of seven cantatas, and dedicated to Gustaf Düben. The text, Salve mundi salutare is a poem written by Arnulf of Louvain (died 1250). Each of the seven parts pertains to a different part of the crucified Christ's body (feet, knees, hands, side, chest, heart, and head). The structure of each cantata follows the same form:

1. Sonata.
2. Concerto (chorus).
3. Aria.
4. Aria.
5. Aria.
6. Concerto (chorus).

In all but the last cantata, the final concerto chorus is simply a repeat of the first chorus (in the seventh cantata, an Amen chorus is substituted). The "arias" are actually solos, trios, or quintets.

External websites:

• Free choir training aids for this work are available at Choralia.
• facs. & parts at the Petrucci Music Library (IMSLP)

• View the Wikipedia article on Membra Jesu Nostri (Dietrich Buxtehude).

  (with translations)
• Catholic Encyclopedia on the poem and its various attributions
• http://www.geocities.jp/lyrischesuite/

Original text and translations

I. Ad pedes

Ad pedes (to His Feet) is based on Nahum 2.1 (1:15)

Latin text 1. Sonata 2. Concerto (SSATB) Ecce super montes pedes evangelizantis et annunciantis pacem 3. Aria (Soprano 1) Salve mundi salutare, salve Jesu chare! Cruci tuae me aptare vellem vere, tu scis quare, da mihi tui copiam 4. Aria (Soprano 2) Clavos pedum, plagas duras, et tam graves impressuras circumplector cum affectu, tuo pavens in aspectu, tuorum memor vulnerum 5. Aria (Bass) Dulcis Jesu, pie deus, Ad te clamor licet reus, praebe mihi te benignum, ne repellas me indignum de tuis sanctis pedibus 6. Concerto (da capo: Ecce super montes)

English translation 2. Behold upon the mountains the feet of one who brings good tidings, who speaks of peace. 3. I greet you, salvation of the world, I greet you, dear Jesu-- I would take up your cross Truly, you know why, Give me your wholeness. 4. The nails in your feet, the hard blows and so grievous marks I embrace with love, Fearful at the sight of you, Mindful of your wounds. 5. Sweet Jesu, merciful God, I call to you, out of my debts Show me your grace, Turn me not unworthy away From your sacred feet. 6. Behold upon the mountains the feet of one who brings good tidings, who speaks of peace.

II. Ad genua

1. Sonata

2. Concerto (SSATB)

Ad ubera portabimini,

et super genua blandicentur vobis

3. Aria (Tenor)

Salve Jesu, rex sanctorum,

spes votiva peccatorum,

crucis ligno tanquam reus,

pendens homo verus deus,

caducis nutans genibus

4. Aria (Alto)

Quid sum tibi responsurus,

actu vilis corde durus?

Quid rependam amatori,

qui eligit pro memori,

ne dupla morte morerer

5. Aria (SSB)

Ut te quaeram mente pura,

sit haec mea prima cura,

non est labor et gravabor,

sed sanabor et mundabor,

cum te complexus fuero

6. Concerto (da capo: Ad ubera portabimini)

III. Ad manus

1. Sonata

2. Concerto (SSATB)

Quid sunt plagae istae

in medio manuum tuarum?

3. Aria (Soprano 1)

Salve Jesu, pastor bone,

fatigatus in agone,

qui per lignum es distractus

et ad lignum es compactus

expansis sanctis manibus

4. Aria (Soprano 2)

Manus sanctae, vos amplector,

et gemendo condelector,

grates ago plagis tantis,

clavis duris guttis sanctis

dans lachrymas cum osculis

5. Aria (ATB)

In cruore tuo lotum

me commendo tibi totum,

tuae sanctae manus istae

me defendant, Jesu Christe,

extremis in periculis

6. Concerto (da capo: Quid sunt plagae istae)

IV. Ad latus

1. Sonata

2. Concerto (SSATB)

Surge, amica mea,

speciosa mea, et veni,

columba mea inforaminibus petrae,

in caverna maceriae

3. Aria (Soprano 1)

Salve latus salvatoris,

in quo latet mel dulcoris,

in quo patet vis amoris,

ex quo scatet fons cruoris,

qui corda lavat sordida

4. Aria (ATB)

Ecce tibi apropinquo,

parce, Jesu, si delinquo,

verecunda quidem fronte,

ad te tamen veni sponte

scrutari tua vulnera

5. Aria (Soprano 2)

Hora mortis meus flatus

intret Jesu, tuum latus,

hinc ex pirans in te vadat,

ne hunc leo trux invadat,

sed apud te permaneat

6. Concerto (da capo: Surge amica mea)

V. Ad pectus

1. Sonata

2. Concerto a 3 voci (ATB)

Sicut modo geniti infantes rationabiles,

et sine dolo concupiscite,

ut in eo crescatis in salutem.

Si tamen gustatis, quoniam dulcis est Dominus.

3. Aria (Alto)

Salve, salus mea, deus,

Jesu dulcis, amor meus,

salve, pectus reverendum,

cum tremore contingendum,

amoris domicilium

4. Aria (Tenor)

Pectus mihi confer mundum,

ardens, pium, gemebundum,

voluntatem abnegatam,

tibi semper conformatam,

juncta virtutum copia

5. Aria (Bass)

Ave, verum templum dei,

precor miserere mei,

tu totius arca boni,

fac electis me apponi,

vas dives deus omnium

6. Concerto a 3 voci (da capo: Sicut modo geniti)

VI. Ad cor

1. Sonata

2. Concerto a 3 voci (SSB)

Vulnerasti cor meum,

soror mea, sponsa,

vulnerasti cor meum.

3. Aria (Soprano 1)

Summi regis cor, aveto,

te saluto corde laeto,

te complecti me delectar

et hoc meum cor affectar,

ut ad te loquar, animes

4. Aria (Soprano 2)

Per medullam cordis mei,

peccatoris atque rei,

tuus amor transferatur,

quo cor tuum rapiatur

languens amoris vulnere

5. Aria (Bass)

Viva cordis voce clamo,

dulce cor, te namque amo,

ad cor meum inclinare,

ut se possit applicare

devoto tibi pectore

6. Concerto a 3 voci (SSB)

Vulnerasti cormeum,

soror mea, sponsa,

vulnerasti cormeum.

VII. Ad faciem

1. Sonata

2. Concerto (SSATB))

Illustra faciem tuam super servum tuum,

salvum me fac in misericordia tua

3. Aria (ATB)

Salve, caput cruentatum,

totum spinis coronatum,

conquassatum, vulneratum,

arundine verberatum

facie sputis illita

4. Aria (Alto)

Dum me mori est necesse,

noli mihi tunc deesse,

intremenda mortis hora

veni, Jesu, absque mora,

tuere me et libera me

5. Aria (SSATB chorus)

Cum me jubes emigrare,

Jesu chare, tunc appare,

o amator amplectende,

temet ipsum tunc ostende

in cruce salutifera.

6. Concerto (SSATB)

Amen