JS Bach walked 250 miles just to study with this composer

Dear Friends,

For this weekend’s prelude, I will play Toccata in F by Dietrich Buxtehude (1637 – 1707).

Buxtehude was born in Denmark to a prominent musical family. His father was a well-known organist and composer, but in time his son would eclipse him in both fame and published work. As a young adult, he moved to Germany, where he held a number of prestigious appointments, perhaps most notably at the Marienkirche in Lübeck.

From Lübeck, Buxtehude’s fame spread throughout Germany. He was renowned for his virtuosic playing, and for his skill as a teacher. So much, in fact, that in 1705 a twenty-year-old organist named Johann Sebastian Bach walked more than 250 miles from Arnstadt to Lübeck, just to study with him.

Enjoy the music this weekend - and until we meet again, take care and stay well!

David