When I was writing up the notes for the Grade 4 ABRSM 2021 - 2022 piano exam piece by Buxtehude I thought it would be a good idea to quickly do some research online regarding the composer. A few hours later I was still obtaining information on a composer I knew little about. Below is a summary of what I read.
Dieterich Buxtehude (pronounced Book-ster-hooder) was one of the most famous virtuoso organists of his time. He was a composer from the North German organ school. The North German organ school is characterized by a harmonically and rhythmically complex improvisatory style which was rooted in the chorale improvisation tradition. Buxtehude’s compositions represent the pinnacle of this tradition.
Dieterich Buxtehude was born, it is thought in 1637, possibly in Helsingborg, Skane, which at the time was part of Denmark but is now in Sweden. His birth name was Diderik Hansen Buxtehude however at a later stage he Germanised his name. In his obituary in 1707 it was stated that he recognized Denmark as his native country. Buxtehude’s father was an organist too and it is thought that Buxtehude learnt from his father.
By Alexander Mathias Winkler - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116582241
He was organist at Helsingborg from 1657 until 1658, a position he succeeded his father, he was the organist at Helsinger from 1660 until 1668 and for the rest of his life he was organist at Lubeck. The position at Lubeck was one of the highest positions in German church music at the time. The organ at Helsinger is the only church where Buxtehude worked where the organ is still in its original position.
In 1668 Buxtehude married his predecessor’s daughter Anna Margarethe Tunder with whom he had seven daughters.
Buxtehude’s duties in Lubeck included composing music for public festivals and for marriages and funerals of the important merchant families of the city. He left a considerable amount of music, some of which was recovered in the 19C however most probably a number of his compositions have been lost.
His compositions have a BWV number which stands for Buxtehude-Werke-Verzeichnis, in English Buxtehude Works Catalogue. This catalogue is organised thematically not chronologically and it contains 275 pieces.
Buxtehude composed some of the pieces for the famous Abendmusiken (translated evening music), these were concerts held at the church in Lubeck in the late afternoons on specific Sundays of the year. These concerts contained mixed vocal and instrumental music and the concerts were independent of the religious services. Buxtehude developed a fixed format with a series of five concerts on the last two Sundays before Advent and on the second, third and fourth Sundays in Advent. By 1669 Buxtehude had expanded the orchestra and the chorus which necessitated the construction of additional galleries for these extra performers. In 1673, Buxtehude who was the church administrator and organist noted the purchase of trumpets which were required for the ornamentation of the Abendt Music. These concerts became the pride of Lubeck and they were paid for by the local businessmen (apparently they had the best seats and received a programme) and admission was free for everyone. At times there were problems with disorderly behaviour and guards had to maintain order. Enthusiasts were attracted to these concerts from all over Germany and Lubeck became the musical centre of North Germany. These concerts continued until 1810 when attitudes towards the concerts were changing and external circumstances caused by the occupation of Napoleon's troops resulted in financial straits which mean that holding these concerts was impossible. The concerts were reinstated in 1954.
He wrote extensively for the organ ands his works include toccatas, preludes, fugues. Chaconnes and pieces based on chorales. His preludes are brief and with one exception, they are similar to Bach’s preludes where there is no thematic connection with the fugues that follow them. Buxtehude’s vocal compositions are important too, most of which are not liturgical . He wrote many cantatas which contain a wealth of expression and these influenced Bach. He also wrote pieces for the harpsichord and chamber music.
St Mary’s Lubeck.
By Thomas Möller Roggenhorst - originally uploaded to de.wikipedia by author on 24. Sep 2004, self made by author, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110347
In 1703 Handel and Mattheson visited Buxtehude in Lubeck, and both of these men wanted Buxtehude’s position as organist at the church. Apparently Buxtehude offered his position to these two men and if one of them accepted the position, they would be obliged to marry his eldest daughter. It is said that both men left the same day after refusing this request.
J. S. Bach walked to Lubeck to visit the aging Buxtehude in 1705 and stayed there for about four months. Bach explained his visit by saying ”to comprehend one thing and another about his art”.
Buxtehude died in 1707 and is buried in St Mary’s Church Lubeck. There is a plaque hanging on the wall approximately in the position it is thought where Buxtehude was buried.
During WW2 on the 28th March 1942 Lubeck was one of the first cities in German to be attacked by considerable numbers of planes from the British Royal Air Force. Much of the historic centre of the city was destroyed by the fire that was caused by the bombing. Three churches were damaged in the raid, one of which was St Mary’s Church, the former church where Buxtehude was organist. The original Apt Schnitger organ was destroyed and it has been subsequently reconstructed.
The broken bells In St Mary’s Church which fell to the ground in the fire of 1942, remain on the ground in the South Tower.
By Arnoldius - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686560
References
www.wikipedia.com
www.britannica.com
www.bach-cantatas.com
www.classicfm.com