Buxtehude cantatas

[Rolmill]

Just spotted that Afternoon Concert at 2pm is presenting two of Buxtehude's cantatas. The first, "Der Herr ist mit mir", is one of the few I have sung and it is a terrific piece - especially the closing Alleluia section, which is a cracker.

I have a few CDs of his cantatas, all of which are very enjoyable, but am aware that I have merely scratched the surface. They have been (and still are) overshadowed by Bach's sublime cantatas, which is understandable but a pity; they may have less emotional depth than the younger composer's in general (though there are exceptions), but many of them are very fine in my view and well worth exploring.

I'll certainly be listening this afternoon - it's a shame it's only a 30 minute slot, presumably extracted from a longer concert, to be followed (rather disconcertingly) by Ein Heldenleben!

[Richard Barrett]

There's an enormous repertoire of church cantatas from the generations before Bach which is full of really beautiful things, including as you say many of Buxtehude's works although a lot of his church music IMO is hampered by a certain rhythmical squareness which his instrumental music for some reason doesn't have. Ton Koopman recorded all of Buxtehude's cantatas but with somewhat overblown forces. Actually I was listening a few days ago to a CD on Alpha by Ensemble Masques and Vox Luminis which mixes his cantatas and trio sonatas in a very nice way.

[MickyD]

Ton Koopman's first recordings of Buxtehude Cantatas for Erato on 3 CDs (and now available on two budget price Virgin Veritas twofers) were much better, to my ears. Well worth getting - with the Veritas discs you also get his pleasing earlier Membra Jesu Nostri recording.

There was also a nice series from the Danish Da Capo label, though I only ever managed to get the first volume featuring Emma Kirkby. I have a feeling that these were later bought up and re-released by Naxos.

[gurnemanz]

Thanks for the nudge. I only really know Buxtehude from keyboard works and will certainly listen.

[Rolmill]

There's an enormous repertoire of church cantatas from the generations before Bach which is full of really beautiful things, including as you say many of Buxtehude's works although a lot of his church music IMO is hampered by a certain rhythmical squareness which his instrumental music for some reason doesn't have. Ton Koopman recorded all of Buxtehude's cantatas but with somewhat overblown forces. Actually I was listening a few days ago to a CD on Alpha by Ensemble Masques and Vox Luminis which mixes his cantatas and trio sonatas in a very nice way.

Yes - I find that listening to several of the cantatas in one go (e.g. a whole CD's worth) less satisfying than with Bach's, presumably for the reasons you mention, but individually many of them are rather beautiful.

If the Vox Luminis CD you refer to is the 'Abendmusiken' album from a couple of years ago, then I agree that it is indeed lovely (what a fine group they are).

I have the earlier Erato Koopman set mentioned by MickyD, which is OK but a little rough in places and (imv) put in the shade by some subsequent recordings. There is also a nice CD from Immerseel on Channel Classics dating from the mid-1990s.

[Richard Barrett]

If the Vox Luminis CD you refer to is the 'Abendmusiken' album from a couple of years ago, then I agree that it is indeed lovely (what a fine group they are).

Yes it is. Whenever I see their name on a CD a make sure to listen to it.

[Nick Armstrong]

Yes it is. Whenever I see [Vox Luminis] on a CD I make sure to listen to it.

Me too.

However, the Buxtehude cantatas etc performance I’ve been listening to most recently (as a result of an extract on Record Review) is this:



Beautifully sung and played, revealing some terrific music.

[vinteuil]

Yes it is. Whenever I see their name [ Vox Luminis] on a CD I make sure to listen to it.

... yes, it's a name that works for me too. They have done a lot for the ricercar label - another name that always draws my attention. Their Masters of the German Baroque is wonderful - sadly out of print, I fear.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08BVY18QW

.

[Richard Barrett]

... yes, it's a name that works for me too. They have done a lot for the ricercar label - another name that always draws my attention. Their Masters of the German Baroque is wonderful - sadly out of print, I fear.

I think most if not all of its contents are still available though.

[Rolmill]

Me too.

However, the Buxtehude cantatas etc performance I’ve been listening to most recently (as a result of an extract on Record Review) is this:



Beautifully sung and played, revealing some terrific music.

Snap! I was thinking about getting another performance of Membra Jesu Nostri (I find the Koopman a bit rough and ready) and heard this on RR, bought it and think it is superb - sensitive, focussed singing + nicely recorded.

[MickyD]

... yes, it's a name that works for me too. They have done a lot for the ricercar label - another name that always draws my attention. Their Masters of the German Baroque is wonderful - sadly out of print, I fear.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08BVY18QW

.

Oh drat, that has been on my shopping list for a while, and now it's gone.

[Richard Barrett]

That recording by Ensemble Correspondances is excellent, I've just had a first listen to it. Some of Membra Jesu Nostri does fall into the "square rhythms" category I mentioned upthread, but this is certainly the most convincing recording of it I've heard (and there are quite a few these days!) Also you have the Klag-Lied which is for me one of Buxtehude's most inspired moments, and it's interesting to have some Schütz following on from it. For me Schütz is one of the most profound composers of all time.

[MickyD]

I have Emma Kirkby doing Klag-Lied, and I agree, Richard, an inspired work indeed.

[Rolmill]

I listened to more Buxtehude cantatas on Afternoon Concert - I hadn't realised they were splitting the performances over two afternoons, or I would have flagged it. They have just reprised the closing Alleluia from Der Herr ist mit mir as an encore, always makes me smile.

Agree about the Klag-Lied, very moving. I too have Emma Kirkby on Naxos, as well as the new Ensemble Correspondances performance (which I prefer).

[MickyD]

I listened to more Buxtehude cantatas on Afternoon Concert - I hadn't realised they were splitting the performances over two afternoons, or I would have flagged it. They have just reprised the closing Alleluia from Der Herr ist mit mir as an encore, always makes me smile.

Agree about the Klag-Lied, very moving. I too have Emma Kirkby on Naxos, as well as the new Ensemble Correspondances performance (which I prefer).

I can see I will have to get that Ensemble Correspondances CD, with all this fulsome praise!