Who was Buxtehude?
As organist at St Mary’s Church in Lübeck, he held one of the most coveted musical positions in the land. What’s more, due to the culturally liberal atmosphere of Lübeck – at that time a free imperial city that enjoyed a certain amount of autonomy – Buxtehude was afforded a number of freedoms that courtly composers were not.
How did Bach preserve Buxtehude’s music?
On the arduous return journey to Arnstadt in early 1706, Bach transported a number of manuscripts that he had made of Buxtehude’s music. The older composer died just a year later, and it is partly thanks to Bach that his music was preserved and disseminated.
When did Buxtehude compose funeral music?
In 1671, Buxtehude composed funeral music on the death of Menno Hanneken [ de], a superintendent and minister at the Marienkirche in Lübeck, where Buxtehude performed his concert series, the Abendmusiken.
Did Buxtehude offer Bach his hand in marriage?
Some historians speculate that Buxtehude may even have offered Bach his daughter’s hand in marriage, a deal that came along with his job as Lübeck organist (Handel had been offered this very same deal, but had refused). We also know that Bach made several manuscript copies of Buxtehude’s music and transported them all back to Arnstadt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qx3Owah34Y
Historically, Buxtehude is among the important composers of the mid-Baroque period in Germany. This is Buxtehude House. The spire of St. Olaf’s is in the background.
Is there a revised edition of Buxtehude’s the greats?
A revised edition of this book was published in May 2007 under the same title by the University of Rochester Press (see Boydell.co.uk for more details). The new edition also includes a CD of Buxtehude’s works which makes a splendid introduction to the work of this neglected composer.
Where was Buxtehude’s last church?
Buxtehude’s last post, from 1668, was at the Marienkirche, Lübeck which had two organs, a large one for big services and a small one for devotionals and funerals. There he succeeded Franz Tunder and followed in many of the footsteps of his predecessor.
How many chorale variations does Buxtehude have?
Buxtehude’s chorale variations are usually in two or three voices. They consist of around 3–4 variations of which only one may use the pedal. These pieces are not as important for the development of the form and not as advanced as Pachelbel’s or Böhm’s contributions to the genre.