Dietrich Buxtehude

Baroque · 1637–1707

Dietrich Buxtehude was the organist of the Marienkirche in Lübeck, in northern Germany, for nearly forty years, and in his day that post made him one of the most respected musicians in the region. Born around 1637, probably in Danish territory, he combined the church job with running the Abendmusiken, public evening concerts that drew audiences from well beyond the city.

His reputation was such that in 1705 the twenty-year-old Johann Sebastian Bach walked some 250 miles from his own job in Arnstadt just to hear him play, and overstayed his leave by months. Buxtehude's organ works, free-flowing preludes that swing between improvisation and strict, interlocking part-writing, shaped what Bach would later do.

Start with the Praeludium in C major to hear that free style, then the Passacaglia in D minor, which builds variations over a single repeating bass line.

186 works in the catalog, across 3 genres. Log what you listen to with Opus, the classical music journal for iPhone.

Chamber

3 Pieces for String Orchestra
7 Sonatas, for violin, viola de gamba and harpsichord, BuxWV252-258, op. 1
7 Sonatas, for violin, viola de gamba and harpsichord, BuxWV259-265, op. 2
Sonata and Suite in B flat major, for violin, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV273
Sonata in A minor, for violin, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV272
Sonata in C major, for 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV266
Sonata in D major, for viola da gamba, violone and continuo, BuxWV267
Sonata in F major, for 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV269
Sonata in G major, for 2 violins, viola da gamba, and continuo, BuxWV271

Keyboard

Aria: La Capricciosa, 32 variations for keyboard in G major, BuxWV250
Passacaglia in D minor, BuxWV161
Praeludium in C major, BuxWV137
Praeludium in F major, BuxWV144
Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV148
Ach Gott und Herr, BuxWV177
Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, in the Phrygian mode, BuxWV178
Aria and 3 Variations, for harpsichord in A minor, BuxWV249
Aria and 3 variations in D minor, BuxWV248, "Rofilis"
Aria and 10 Variations, for keyboard in C major, BuxWV246
Arias: More Palatino,12 variations in C major, BuxWV247
Auf meinen lieben Gott, BuxWV179
Canzona for in G minor, BuxWV173
Canzona in C major, BuxWV166
Canzona in D minor, BuxWV168
Canzona in E minor, BuxWV169
Canzona in G major, BuxWV170
Canzonetta in A minor, BuxWV225
Canzonetta in C major, BuxWV167
Canzonetta in G major, BuxWV171
Canzonetta in G major, BuxWV172
Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam, in the Dorian mode, BuxWV180
Ciaccona in E minor, BuxWV160
Ciacona in C minor, BuxWV159
Conzertstuck in A in free style
Courant zimble, 8 variations in A minor, BuxWV245
Danket dem Herrn, BuxWV181
Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, BuxWV182
Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt, in the Dorian mode, BuxWV183
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BuxWV184
Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort, BuxWV185
Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BuxWV186
Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl, BuxWV187
Fugue in B flat major, BuxWV176
Fugue in C major, BuxWV174
Fugue in G major, BuxWV175
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BuxWV188
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BuxWV189
Gott der vater wohn uns bei, BuxWV190
Herr Christ der einig Gottes Sohn, BuxWV191
Herr Christ der einig Gottes Sohn, BuxWV192
Herr Jesu Christ, ich weiss gar wohl, BuxWV193
Ich dank dir, lieber Herre, BuxWV194
Ich dank dir schon durch deinen Sohn, BuxWV195
Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BuxWV196
In dulci jubilo, BuxWV197
Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, in G Dorian, BuxWV198
Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BuxWV199
Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BuxWV200
Kommt her zu mir, spricht Gottes Sohn, BuxWV201
Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BuxWV202
Magnificat noni toni, BuxWV205
Magnificat Primi Toni, BuxWV203
Magnificat Primi Toni, BuxWV204
Magnificat Primi Toni for organ, BuxWV203
Mensch, willt du leben seliglich, in the Phrygian mode, BuxWV206
Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BuxWV207
Now We Thank Thee, for organ
Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist, BuxWV208
Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist, BuxWV209
Nun freut euch lieben Chirsten g'mein, BuxWV210
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BuxWV211
Nun lob mein Seel' den Herren, BuxWV212
Nun lob mein Seel' den Herren, BuxWV213
Nun lob mein Seel' den Herren, BuxWV214
Nun lob mein Seel' den Herren, BuxWV214 and 215
Praeambulum in A minor, BuxWV158
Praeludium C, BuxWV138
Praeludium G, BuxWV147
Praeludium in A major, BuxWV151
Praeludium in A minor, BuxWV153
Praeludium in C major, BuxWV136
Praeludium in D major, BuxWV139
Praeludium in D minor, BuxWV140
Praeludium in E major, BuxWV141
Praeludium in E minor, BuxWV142
Praeludium in E minor, BuxWV143
Praeludium in F major, BuxWV145
Praeludium in F sharp minor, BuxWV146
Praeludium in G major, BuxWV162
Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV149
Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV150
Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV 163
Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV163
Praeludium in Phrygian Mode, BuxWV152
Puer natus in Bethlehem, BuxWV217
Suite in A major, BuxWV243
Suite in C major, BuxWV226
Suite in D major, BuxWV232
Suite in D minor, BuxWV233, "D'amour"
Suite in E minor, BuxWV235
Suite in E minor, BuxWV237
Suite in F major, BuxWV238
Suite in G minor, BuxWV242
Suite in G minor BuxWV241
Te Deum laudamus, in the Phrygian mode, BuxWV218
Toccata in D minor, BuxWV155
Toccata in F major, BuxWV156
Toccata in F major, BuxWV157
Toccata in G major, BuxWV164
Toccata in G major, BuxWV165
Vater unser in Himmelreich, BuxWV219
Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BuxWV220
Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BuxWV221
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BuxWV223
Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, in the Dorian mode, BuxWV224
Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit, BuxWV222

Vocal

Alles, was ihr tut, for SATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV4
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebet, for soprano, 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV5
An Filius non est Dei, for ATB voices, 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV6
Att du, Jesu, will mig höra, for soprano, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV8
Befiehl dem Engel, dass er komm, for SATB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV10
Benedictam Dominum, for SSATB and SATB voices, 2 violins, violone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, bombarde, 2 cornetts, bsn and BC, BuxWV113
Cantate Domino canticum novum, for SSB voices and continuo, BuxWV12
Das neugeborne Kindelein, for voices, 3 violins, violone, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV13
Dein edles Herz, der Liebe Thron, for SATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV14
Der Herr ist mit mir, for SATB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV15
Dixit Dominus Domino meo, for soprano, 2 violins, 2 violas, spinet, violone and continuo, BuxWV17
Domine, salvum fac regum, for SSATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV18
Ecce nunc benedicite Domino, for ATTB voices, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV23
Eins bitte ich vom Herrn, for SSATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV24
Entreisst euch meine Sinnen, for soprano, 2 violins and conintuo, BuxWV25
Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort, for chorus, 2 violins, violone or bombarde and continuo, BuxWV27
Fried- und Freudenreiche Hinfahrt, cantata in 2 sections for SB voices, instruments and continuo, BuxWV76
Fürwahr, er trug unsere Krankheit, Passion cantata for SSATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas da gamba, violone or basson and continuo, BuxWV31
Gen Himmel zu dem Vater mein, chorale concerto for soprano, violin, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV32
Gott, hilf mir, for SSSATBB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV34
Herr, auf dich traue ich, for soprano, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV35
Herr, ich lasse dich nicht, for TB voices, 2 violins, 3 violas da gamba, braccio, violone and continuo, BuxWV36
Herr, nun lässt du deinen Diener, for tenor, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV37
Herr, wenn ich nur dich hab', for soprano, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV38
Herren vår Gud, for SATB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV40
Herzlich Lieb hab ich dich O Herr, for SATTB voices, 2 trumpets, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone or basson and continuo, BuxWV41
Ich bin der Auferstehung, for bass, 2 violins, 2 violas, 2 cornets, 2 trumpets, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV 44
Ich bin eine Blume zu Saron, for bass, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV45
Ich habe Lust abzuscheiden, for SSB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV47
Ich halte es dafür, for SB voices, violin, violetta, violone and continuo, BuxWV48
Ich suchte des Nachts, for tenor, baritone, oboe, violin, cello and continuo, BuxWV50
Ihr lieben Christen, for SSATB voices, 3 violins, 2 violas, violone, 3 cornets, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones and continuo, BuxWV51
In dulci jubilo, for 2 sopranos, bass, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV52
In te, Domine, speravi, for SAB voices and continuo, BuxWV53
Jesu, meine Freude, for 2 sopranos, bass, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV60
Jesu dulcis memoria, for 2 sopranos, 2 violins, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV56
Jesu dulcis memoria, for ATB voices, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV57
Jesu komm mein Trost und Lachen, for ATB voices, 2 violins, violetta, violone and continuo, BuxWV58
Jesu meine Freud und Lust, for alto, 2 violins, violetta, violone and continuo, BuxWV59
Jubilate Domino, omnis terra, for alto, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV64
Kommst du, Licht der Heiden, for SSB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV66
Lauda anima mea Dominum, for soprano, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV67
Laudate pueri Dominum, BuxWV69
Lobe den Herrn meine Seele, for tenor, 3 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV71
Mein Gemüt erfreuet sich, for SAB voices, 4 violins, 2 flutes, 4 cornets, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 3 bassoons and continuo, BuxWV72
Mein Herz ist bereit, for bass, 3 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV73
Membra Jesu Nostri, cantata in 7 sections for SSATB voices, 2 violins, 5 violas da gamba, violone and continuo, BuxWV75
Nichts soll uns Scheiden, for SAB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV77
Nimm von uns, Herr, for SATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violettas, basson and continuo, BuxWV78
Nun danket alle Gott, for SSATB voices, 2 violins, violone, 2 cornets, 2 trumpets, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV79
O clemens, O mitis, for soprano, 4 strings and continuo, BuxWV82
O dulcis Jesu, for soprano, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV83
O fröhliche Stunden, O fröhliche Zeit, for soprano, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV84
O Gottes Stadt, for soprano, 2 violins, viola, violone and continuo, BuxWV87
O wie selig sind, for TB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV90
Pange lingua gloriosi, for SSAB voices, 2 violins, 2 violettas, violone and continuo, BuxWV91
Quaemadmodum desiderat cervus, for tenor, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV92
Salve, Jesu, Patris gnate unigenite, for SS voices, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV94
Schaffe in mir, Gott, for soprano, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV95
Sicut Moses exaltavit serpentem, for soprano, 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV97
Singet dem Herrn ein Neues Lied, for soprano, violin and continuo, BuxWV98
Walts Gott mein Werk ich lasse, for SATB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV103
Was frag' ich nach der Welt, for SAB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV104
Was mich auf dieser Welt betrübt, for soprano, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV105
Wenn ich, Herr Jesu, habe dich, for alto, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV107
Wie schmeckt es so lieblich, for SAB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV108
Wie soll ich dich empfangen, for SSB voices, 2 violins, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV109
Wie wird erneuet, wie wird erfreuet, for SSATTB voices,3 violins, 2 violas, violone, 3 cornets, 3 trumpets, cimbalon and Bc, BuxWV110
Wo soll ich fliehen hin, for SATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV112
Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit, for SATB voices, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV102

Related composers

Keep a listening journal.

Opus is free on the App Store.