Following their acclaimed performance last year the vocal chamber ensemble Illustra will be making a welcome return to Hinde Street Methodist Church, in the heart of London's West End, presenting a programme of sacred devotional music by C17 composer Dietrich Buxtehude. This impressive building, designed by architect James Weir in traditional Methodist style with its three-sided gallery and high pulpit, forms a fitting backdrop for the work of a man considered today to be one of the most important German composers of the mid-Baroque.
Composed in 1680, Membra Jesu Nostri literally translates as 'The most holy limbs of our suffering Jesus' and is a meditation on the Passion, consisting of seven cantatas. Each movement contemplates parts of Christ's body on the cross (feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart and head) and is full of beauty, hope and invention. The plangent and mature dissonance upon which Buxtehude develops his harmonic character exemplifies his genius for creating the ultimate in spiritual impact without a note of gratuitous indulgence.
For today's concert the group will be joined by additional voices to form a small chamber choir, with supporting instruments in consort, and are once again under the music direction of Alexander Chaplin. With examples of virtuosic solo arias, duets and trios as well as sensitive, subtle and instinctively blended polyphonic choruses Illustra will convey a powerful yet intimate interpretation of a work by one of the very finest composers of Sacred Music.
There is no charge for admission but a retiring collection will made in aid of Hinde Street Methodist Church.