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.