Buxtehude : Membra Jesu Nostri. Ainsley, Blaze, Underwood, Hyde.

   in Choir & Organ (May, 2014)
Buxtehude’s famous cycle of seven cantatas on the mystery of the Passion has never been central to the English choral tradition, so this CD is very much welcomed. Magdalen College choir could be about as large as Buxtehude’s in Lubeck, and the viol consort Phantasm is here supplemented by fine playing from the two violinists. Tuning is mostly good considering the vibrancy of the treble voices, and there are fine textures created by lute and chamber organ – the perfect continuo combination for this music. This is quite a close-up, dry recording though, and a little more resonance would add to the character. …