Dixit Dominus
Cantata for tenor (or soprano) with violins 1 & 2, violas 1 & 2,
"spinetto o violono" (or cello), continuo (organ, violone)
Program Notes by Martin Pearlman
Dieterich Buxtehude was best known in his day and in ours as a great organist whose music is still standard repertoire for that instrument. Yet the majority of his output was for voice. More than a hundred cantatas, motets, and other vocal works have come down to us, although sadly his large-scale oratorios have been lost.
Buxtehude considered Denmark to be his birthplace -- a point debated by some historians -- but he spent most of his professional life in the north German free city of Lübeck, where he was organist of St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche). There his work as a keyboard player and as director of the famous Abendmusik concert series made him a major influence on the German music of his day, as well as that of the next generation.
In 1703, the young Handel traveled from Hamburg with his colleague Mattheson to see and hear Buxtehude. They were both considered as possible successors to the aging organist, but there was a catch. Following tradition, Buxtehude's successor would be expected to marry his daughter. "It turned out," wrote Mattheson, "that there was some marriage condition proposed in connection with the appointment, for which we neither of us felt the smallest inclination, so we said goodbye to the place after having enjoyed ourselves immensely. . ."
Two years later, in 1705, the young J. S. Bach walked over 250 miles to Lübeck to hear Buxtehude play the organ and to attend his Abendmusik concerts, where he doubtless would have heard Buxtehude's oratorios and other choral works. He got in considerable trouble for overstaying his leave of absence, but he came away from Lübeck tremendously influenced by what he had heard.
Buxtehude's setting is a brief, attractive work for tenor, although it is sometimes sung an octave higher by a soprano. The soloist is accompanied by strings and continuo.
Boston Baroque Performances
Dixit Dominus
March 2, 2018
NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Teresa Wakim, soprano