In dulci jubilo BuxWV 197

Like many of his chorale preludes, Dieterich Buxtehude’s setting of "In dulci jubilo" (which dates from c. 1690) is very expressive and lyrical. The subtly ornamented melody is accompanied by expertly crafted counterpoint in the left hand and pedals, which also features fragments of the melody, although these often go unnoticed.

The original text, a macaronic alternation of Medieval German and Latin, is thought to have been written by the German mystic Heinrich Seuse in around 1328. The melody is to be found in a manuscript in Leipzig University Library dating from c.1400, but is thought to be older. It was published in several Luthern hymnals, in the Piae Cantiones of 1582 and subsequently in numerous hymn books throughout Europe and beyond. The settings by Bach and Buxtehude are perhaps the best known (along with a version now attributed to Johann Michael Bach) but the melody has also been used by other composers, including Liszt and Holst.

For this recording, I used the Janke organ of the Stadtkirche in Bückeburg, sampled for Hauptwerk by Sonus Paradisi. The registration is perhaps a little unusual, based upon an 8’ tone in the pedal with the 4’ Flöte of the Oberwerk in the left hand and the 4’ Holzflöte and 1’ Sifflöte of the Unterwerk used for the solo melody. The sparkling effect further enhances the Christmas mood, at least that’s the aim!