Dieterich Buxtehude died on May 9, 1707, in Lübeck, where he served as organist at St. Mary's Church. His exact birthplace and year are not definitively established; however, it is assumed that he was born around 1637 in either Helsingborg, Helsingør, or Oldesloe. Buxtehude spent most of his life in Lübeck, succeeding Franz Tunder at St. Mary's Church. Despite his long career in Germany, his Danish roots are undisputed. The visits of Bach and Handel, who traveled to Lübeck specifically to hear Buxtehude play, attest to his high standing in the musical world.
Buxtehude's organ music gained significance primarily through improvisational performances and handwritten manuscripts, as printed music was scarce during his lifetime. Unlike today, where sheet music is ubiquitous, the focus at that time was on the art of improvisation. Printed editions of his works appeared only posthumously, and the musicians of his time were distinguished by their exceptional improvisational talent. The vitality and creative power of his music hint at how impressive Buxtehude's own improvisational artistry must have been.
His organ compositions can be divided into freely composed pieces and arrangements of well-known chorale melodies. Buxtehude's virtuosity and musical skill are evident, for example, in the Präambulum in A minor or in the chorale fantasia "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ" (I call to you, Lord Jesus Christ). Works such as the Fugue in B-flat major and the chorale prelude "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" (How beautifully shines the morning star) demonstrate his diversity of themes and forms.
Listening to Buxtehude's organ music is like embarking on a journey through different moods and complex structures. In both the chorale preludes and the free fugues and toccatas, Buxtehude demonstrates his creative versatility. The Passacaglia in D minor reveals his structured approach, while the Canzonetta in C major particularly highlights the performer's skill.
Finally, Christopher Herrick presents the impressive Prelude in E minor on the CD, which impressively summarizes the complexity and beauty of Buxtehude's work. Every fugue, toccata, and fantasia expresses the composer's genius and underscores his preeminent role in the North German organ tradition.