Buxtehude, Dietrich, << BUKS tuh `hoo` duh, DEE trihk >> (1637?-1707), was a composer and organist. He composed church music, works for organ, and vocal music. He is perhaps best known as an important influence on the German composer Johann Sebastian Bach.
Buxtehude probably was born in Oldesloe, Germany, near Lubeck. Little is known of his early life, but he probably received his first musical training from his father, a church organist. Buxtehude became organist at St. Mary’s Church in Lubeck in 1668, remaining there until his death. His skill as an organist and composer made him a leader of the so-called North German school of organ composition.
Beginning in 1673, Buxtehude produced an annual concert series called Abendmusiken (evening performances) at St. Mary’s. The concerts included his oratorios, semidramatic works on Biblical and devotional themes, and they attracted music lovers from all over Germany. In 1705, Johann Sebastian Bach walked about 230 miles (370 kilometers) to hear him play. Buxtehude died on May 9, 1707.
