^{FIRST PUBLISHED 11 JUL 2026}

This playlist explores the extensive output of the Danish master organist and composer Dieterich Buxtehude, whose style and career greatly influenced the next generation of composers including Handel and JS Bach, both of whom met the older composer in Lübeck.

Buxtehude served as Organist and Werkmeister at the Marienkirche in Lübeck from 1668 until his death in 1707. It was here that he organised his Abendmusik series – evening concerts which remained part of the church’s calendar until the 19th century. Buxtehude was renowned as an organist and composer during his life. Handel paid a relatively brief visit in 1703 with his friend Johann Mattheson. Bach visited in 1705 after an arduous journey, walking 270 miles from Arnstadt to Lübeck to hear the Abendmusik concerts, and to meet the great organist. He stayed in the city for nearly three months.

The playlist serves as a cross-section of Buxtehude’s oeuvre, highlighting the breadth and variety of his work in both vocal and instrumental idioms, from cantatas and chorale preludes, to suites for harpsichord and sonatas for chamber ensemble.

Listen on Spotify.

TRACK LIST

1-7. Jesu, meine Freude in E minor, BuxWV 60 | Ensemble Masques, Vox Luminus
8. Trio Sonata in D minor, BuxWV 257 | Música d'Outrora
(from the album, Still Life: Early Baroque Fantasy, supported by a grant from Continuo Foundation)
9. Toccata in G, BuxWV 164 | Rinaldo Alessandrini
10. Ciacona in C, BuxWV 159 | Ton Koopman
11. Sonata in A minor for violin, viola da gamba & basso continuo, BuxWV 272 | Mike Fentross, David Rabinovich, Catherine Manson, Jonathan Manson & Ton Koopman
12. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BuxWV 198 | Bine Katrine Bryndorf
13-16. Suite in A minor, BuxWV Deest. | Simone Stella
17. Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin, BuxWV 76 | Anima Eterna, Collegium Vocale & Jos Van Immerseel
18. Canzonetta in A, BuxWV 179 | Ton Koopman
19. Auf, Saiten, auf! Laßt euren Schall erklingen! BuxWV 115 | Gerlinde Samann, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman
20. Prelude & Fugue in F-sharp minor, BuxWV 146 | Helmut Walcha
21. Canon duplex per augmentationem, BuxWV 123 | Ulrike Grosch, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman
22. Missa brevis, BuxWV 114 | Ulrike Grosch, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman
23. Aria and 3 Variations in D minor, BuxWV 248 Rofilis | Rinaldo Alessandrini
24. Sonata in F for two violins, viola da gamba & basso continuo BuxWV 269 | Mike Fentross, David Rabinovich, Catherine Manson, Jonathan Manson & Ton Koopman
25. Te Deum laudamus, BuxWV 218 | Kristian Olesen
26-31. Membra Jesu Nostri - Cantata VI: ‘Ad cor’ | The Sixteen & Harry Christophers
32. Schlaft, Künstler, die Pauken und Saiten, BuxWV 122 | Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman