Buxtehude was probably born in 1637, as Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707), in the Duchy of Holstein, which is now partly in Denmark. His father was an organist; as a result, Buxtehude came into contact with organ music at a young age, and he also became an organist himself. After two appointments in his native country, Buxtehude left for Germany. He took the position of organist in the Marienkirche in Lübeck in 1668 where he would continue to work until his death in 1707. During his Lübecker years Buxtehude was a prolific composer. His style demonstrates the variety of musical influences that he was exposed to, particularly from German and Italian repertoire, which he combined to create a unique personal style. ‘Membra Jesu Nostri’, also known as ‘the first Lutheran oratorio', was first performed in Lübeck in 1680. The full title of the 6-part piece is ‘Membra Jesu Nostri Patientis Sanctissima’, literally translated 'The most holy limbs of our Lord Jesus in his suffering'. The piece consists of seven cantatas that deal with different parts of the body of the suffering and dying Christ on the cross: feet, knees, hands, side, chest, heart and head. The work is the perfect combination of the strict Protestant North German style and that of the Italian school, the symbiosis of mystical outbursts and serious transparency. The Luthers Bach Ensemble was founded in 2006 with the express intention to perform Bach’s cantatas in historically informed practice and style on period instruments. Soon afterwards, its repertoire was widened and came to include music from Monteverdi to Brahms. In the last few years the ensemble has performed Bach’s passions in a semi-scenic style, in which the Passion story is sung by heart - no scores - with appropriate gestures and lighting effects. The soloists on this recording are Kristen Witmer soprano I, Lucia Caihuela soprano II, Jan Kullmann alto, William Knight tenor and Matthew Baker bass.