Buxtehude was born in Denmark but worked as an organist at St. Mary’s Church in Lübeck, Germany. He was so famous that the young Bach, still a student, walked 200 miles to hear him. Bach spent several months studying with him, so we can thank Buxtehude for helping to shape Bach’s musical personality. He wrote numerous pieces for the organ, including two volumes of chorale preludes. A chorale prelude is a composition with a hymn tune as its basis for departure. Some are very simple, presenting the hymn in a very clear and audible manner, while others are more ornate, disguising the melody.  

Thank you.

Stephen Mallinger