Dieterich Buxtehude - A name worth getting to know!

When we think of music of the baroque, often the first (and perhaps only!) name that comes to mind is J.S. Bach. Bach's name is more than synonymous with the musical time period generally defined as 1600-1750. But, if you look at those dates, and realize that Bach was not born until 1685, an obvious question arises: "What was going on musically during the first 100 years of the baroque?"

The north German musical world of the early 17th century was centered around the music of Dieterich Buxtehude. Though Buxtehude is known primarily today for his "progressive"  organ music - that is, much more technically demanding and musically developed than that of his immediate predecessors - he left over 100 choral works which have only in the past 25 years been "re-discovered' and hailed for their beauty and depth! On our next choral concert, Gloriae Dei Cantores will be performing Buxtehude's cantata cycle entitled "Membra Jesu nostri" in which he pays musical homage to Christ on the cross, adoring first Christ's feet and ultimately, His face. The depth of musical illustration of this text is is simply mind-blowing. Having spent some time with this particular work, I have a much better understanding of why the young J.S. Bach would walk the  250 mile journey from Arnstadt to Lübeck to hear the music of Buxtehude and why he felt it was worth losing his job to stay a full three months to learn from this great master!

The Joy of Bach!

Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten (We run with stumbling but eager steps) - the 2nd movement of J. S. Bach's cantata, Jesu, Der Du meine Seele -  is among the most beloved and recognized works of J.S. Bach- why? Is it the delight to be found in the voicing of a soprano and alto "speaking" to each other in duet? Is it the "bouncing" instrumental bass line? 

We often speak of the "joy" found in the works of Bach but do we really stop to think about why we experience that beyond just the surface textures? While preparing this work, I was reminded of a touching conversation between coloratura soprano Beverly Sills and the 'Tonight Show" host, Johnny Carson. Mr. Carson, a long time friend of Ms. Sills, asked her if she was a happy person. Her response, to his surprise as well as the audience was "No, I am not". Ms. Sills went on to say that she loved her work and her family but that the suffering in her personal life would never allow her to be happy. But, FOR THOSE SAME REASONS, she was quite joyful!

It is my personal conviction that had J.S. Bach been asked Mr. Carson's question, he would have given an answer similar to that of Ms. Sills. He suffered great personal loss in both family and business and yet, what an outpouring of audible verve in his music. Here is why I believe that, without even knowing it , we are "hooked" by the music of Bach. He knew incredible suffering and yet offers such hope and joy. It is his suffering which produces such genuine hope and joy in his music - and a faith in God that is both grounded and unmistakable!