Membra Jesu Nostri - Structure

Structure

Each cantata in Membra Jesu Nostri is divided into six sections; an instrumental introduction; a concerto for instruments and five voices (SSATB), with the exception of the fifth and sixth cantatas where only three voices are used; three arias for one or three voices, each followed by an instrumental ritornello; and an exact reprise of the concerto. The first and the last cantata of the cycle deviate from this pattern. In the first cantata the choir repeats the first aria after the reprise, in the last one, Ad faciem, 5 parts sing the last aria, and then a final Amen instead of the reprise concludes the cycle.

The structure of Membra is dictated by its text. Buxtehude selected biblical verses for the concertos, and three strophes from each part of the poem Salve mundi salutare for the arias in each cantata. The biblical words are chosen for mentioning the member of the cantata and taken mostly from the Old Testament. The metre of the poetry unifies the arias' rhythmic patterns (Examples 1 and 2).

Example 1 (in bold are stressed syllables):

I. Ad pedes:

Sal-ve mun-di sa-lu-ta-re

II. Ad genua:

Quid sum ti-bi re-spon-su-rus

III. Ad manus:

In cru-o-re tu-o lo-tum

V. Ad pectus:

Pec-tus mi-hi con-fer mun-dum