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Donald Macleod discusses some of the musicians who travelled to hear Buxtehude perform at St Mary's Church in Lubeck, including Bach.

In today's programme Donald Macleod explores some of the musicians who travelled to hear Dieterich Buxtehude perform. One day towards the end of 1705, a young man of twenty turned up at Buxtehude's door at St. Mary's church in Lübeck. He introduced himself as Johann Sebastian Bach. He had heard about Buxtehude's legendary organ playing and had walked all the way from Arnstadt ? 280 miles away ? to hear him play in person. Bach had taken leave of his post for four weeks. He stayed for three months. On his return, Bach got into trouble on two counts: for staying away so long, and for now playing the chorales in such a bizarre way that the congregation was thoroughly confused.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Dieterich Buxtehude

    Praeludium in C major BuxWV.137 for organ (Prelude, fugue and chaconne)

    Performer: Bine Katrine Bryndorf.
    • Dacapo: 8.226002.
    • Dacapo.
    • 18.
  • Dieterich Buxtehude

    Auf meinen lieben Gott - chorale variations BuxWV.179 (Geistliche Tanzsuite) fo

    Performer: Glenn Wilson.
    • Naxos: 8.557413.
    • Naxos.
    • 6.
  • Dieterich Buxtehude

    La Capricciosa - 32 variations in G major BuxWV.250 for keyboard

    Performer: Francesco Tristano.
    • DG: 476 5145.
    • 5.
  • Dieterich Buxtehude

    Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied BuxWV.98 for soprano, violin and continuo

    Singer: Emma Kirkby.
    • Naxos: 8.557251.
    • Naxos.
    • 10.
  • Dieterich Buxtehude

    Membra Jesu nostri - 7 passion cantatas BuxWV.75

    Performer: Purcell Quartet. Performer: Fretwork.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-0775.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 18.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 10 Jul 2014 12:00
  • Thu 10 Jul 2014 18:30

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