Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Biography submission guide. • Prelude, Fugue, and Chaconne BuxWV 137, hypermedia by Jeff Hall and Tim Smith at the BinAural Collaborative Hypertext; Shockwave Player required. Buxtehude decided to stop following in his father's footsteps when the prestigious position of organist at the Marienkirche in Lubeck became available; after several others were rejected, Buxtehude got the job on April 11, 1668. Updates? The young Handel visited him in 1703, and in 1705 young Bach walked more than 200 miles to see him. It is usually assumed that he began his musical education with his father, who was organist at Helsingborg (c. 1638–41) and at Helsingør (Elsinore; c. 1642–71), both then part of Denmark. Buxtehude was a 17th century composer and organist from Germany or Denmark. Bei seinem Vornamen ist auch die Form Dietrich geläufig. No documentation exists for Buxtehude's birth, though he said late in life that he was a native Dane. Bach and also composed sacred vocal music along with instrumental music. The family was of German extraction, and branches were located in various parts of Scandinavia, which had close cultural ties with Germany at the time. His exact place of birth is uncertain, and nothing is known of his early youth. Be the first to contribute! After Buxtehude died on May 9, 1707, the church found another organist willing to marry his daughter. Well-known and respected during his lifetime, he was what might be called, today, a composer's composer. His vocal works shared the devotion and intellectual rigor of his instrumental work, and were also much admired. Buxtehude is best known for his organ music whose historical standing makes him one of the most important composers before Bach. Dietrich Buxtehude was born in either Holstein or Sweden (both were Danish territories at the time), the son of an organist. Dietrich Buxtehude. He is one of the most important composers of the mid- Baroque period. Toll Free: 844.350.7189; Tel: 661.250.7189; Fax: 661.250.7195; 26362 Ruether Ave; Santa Clarita, CA 91350-2990 USA; Theodore Front Musical Literature Inc. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. List of choral works Artist Biography by Andrew Lindemann Malone Dietrich Buxtehude is probably most familiar to modern classical music audiences as the man who inspired the young Johann Sebastian Bach to make a lengthy pilgrimage to Lubeck, Buxtehude 's place of employment and residence for most of his life, just to hear Buxtehude play the organ. The family was of German extraction, and branches were located in various parts of Scandinavia, which had close cultural ties with Germany at the time. His organ works comprise a central part of the standard organ repertoire and are frequently performed at recitals and church services. Buxtehude is best known for his organ music whose historical standing makes him one of the most important composers before Bach. Soon after his performance at Helsingor, he was hired as an organist in the town, working for St. Mary’s church. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Dietrich Buxtehude is probably most familiar to modern classical music audiences as the man who inspired the young Johann Sebastian Bach to make a lengthy pilgrimage to Lubeck, Buxtehude's place of employment and residence for most of his life, just to hear Buxtehude play the organ. 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