Text and visual image in the sacred vocal works of Dieterich Buxtehude.

A newly discovered source for the text of the aria Fallax mundus (BuxWV 28) by Dieterich Buxtehude has brought to light an important connection between devotional texts, contemplative emblems and musical settings. The series of emblematic engravings Cor Iesv amanti sacrvm by Flemish engraver Antony II Wierix includes a Latin poem from which Buxtehude derived the text for Fallax mundus. Buxtehude’s most likely source was the 1627 devotional book Cor Deo devotum , which contained Wierix’s engravings. The poem shows the influence of Jesuit teachings and spiritual practices, although Buxtehude’s setting may suggest a more Lutheran reading of the text. These discoveries shed new light on Buxtehude’s piety and show that he moved in a milieu open to influences from Catholic piety. Furthermore they suggest new interpretations for his Latin sacred works such as Membra Jesu nostri (BuxWV 75) and Sicut Moses exaltavit serpentem (BuxWV 97) in relation to contemporary devotional images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]