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. The original scoring for strings in No. VI ('Ad Cor') consists of a consort of five gambas. If this group of instruments isnot available then violins I/II can be substituted for gamba I/II and the gamba V parts can be played by the violone (the music for these substitute parts is contained in each respective parts) so that in this case only two gambas (III IV) are needed. For such a performance only two copies of the Gamba performance score (Carus 36.013/16) are required.

From Geistliche Chor-Music-Published in 1648 Heinrich Schütz’s “Geistliche Chor-Music” is still regarded as one of his seminal works. A two-volume performance edition based on Werner Breig’s revised new text is available (BA 5901/BA 5902).Now selected motets are being issued in separate volumes. They offer a modern notation and layout retain the original keys and include an integrated figured bass realisation.In keeping with contemporary performance practice the ‘choral’ parts can be performed by instruments as well as voices. Instrumental parts with underlaid words may be purchased separately for performances with instruments (seeperformance material for BA 5901 and BA 5902).- Gib unsern Fürsten und aller Obrigkeit No.5 SWV 373 from 'Geistliche Chor-Music'- Cantus Quintus Countertenor Tenor Bassus Basso continuo ad lib.

Written for the King's Singers, A Hymn To The Virgin won the 'A Carol for Christmas' competition run by the vocal sextet and Classic FM.Re-edited for SSATBB, the two languages of the text are set in contrasting styles of solo lines and chordal harmony, coming together at the end of each verse.A meditative work that would make an excellent concert ending. / Choeur SSATBB