Dieterich
Buxtehude

Dieterich Buxtehude (1637?-1707) was a Danish or German organist and composer of the Baroque period, whose works are typical of the North German organ school. His father — Johannes Buxtehude — was the organist at St. Olaf's church in Helsingør. Dieterich was employed as an organist, first in Helsingborg (1657–1658), and then at Helsingør (1660–1668). St. Mary's in Helsingør is the only church where Buxtehude was employed that still has the organ in its original location. Buxtehude's last post, from 1668, was at the Marienkirche, Lübeck. As a composer who worked in various vocal and instrumental idioms, Buxtehude's style greatly influenced other composers, such as Johann Sebastian Bach. Historically, Buxtehude is among the important composers of the mid-Baroque period in Germany.