One of the great testimonials to the musicianship of Danish-born
composer and organist Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) is the frequently
told story of the young Johann Sebastian Bach walking more than 200
miles to hear the great man play during one of his famous Abendmusiken
concerts in Lübeck. It is widely believed that Bach was responsible for
helping preserve Buxtehude's organ music, much of which he brought back
with him from the north-German city. Today, Buxtehude's talents as a
composer are especially evident in his remarkable instrumental music --
pieces that strongly influenced Bach, Bach's contemporaries, and later
composers.
The present compilation comprises 19 keyboard suites, each consisting of
four classic, extremely popular, stylized court dances: the allemande,
courante, sarabande, and gigue. Slight variations (such as a pair of
sarabandes) are also included.
Selected from an authoritative early edition, these expressive,
beautifully constructed pieces will appeal to a wide range of keyboard
musicians and music lovers.