This recording contains some of the most mature, harmonically daring and most accomplished of Buxtehude's compositions, including BuxWV 139, 141, 146, 210 and 213. Since Buxtehude in his later organ works was oriented towards the innovations in harmonic temperament introduced by Andreas Werckmeister after 1680, the compositions on this CD were recorded on an organ tuned according to Werckmeister's system. Buxtehude himself was a theatrical personality, the church his theatre. To do his compositions justice we need a ÒmachoÓ playing style and virtuosity, but also emotion, fantasy, contrast, beautiful registers and a unique historical instrument. The splendid historic organ of Altenbruch is ideal for the later works of Buxtehude.
Dieterich Buxtehude (Dietrich, Diderich) was a German-Danish organist and a highly regarded composer of the baroque period. His organ works comprise a central part of the standard organ repertoire and are frequently performed at recitals and church services. He wrote in a wide variety of vocal and instrumental idioms, and his style strongly influenced many composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach. Organist at the Marienkirche in Lübeck for most of his life, Buxtehude is considered today to be the leading German composer in the time between Schütz and Bach.

Coci/Klapmeyer Organ (1498/1728), St. Nicolai Kirche, Altenbruch (D)