Dieterich Buxtehude (c. 1637 to 1639) was a
German-Danish organist and composer of the Baroque
period. His organ works represent a central part of the
standard organ repertoire and are frequently performed
at recitals and in church services. He composed in a
wide variety of vocal and instrumental idioms, and his
style strongly influenced many composers, including
Johann Sebastian Bach. Buxtehude, along with Heinrich
Schütz, is considered today to be one of the most
important German composers of...(+)
Dieterich Buxtehude (c. 1637 to 1639) was a
German-Danish organist and composer of the Baroque
period. His organ works represent a central part of the
standard organ repertoire and are frequently performed
at recitals and in church services. He composed in a
wide variety of vocal and instrumental idioms, and his
style strongly influenced many composers, including
Johann Sebastian Bach. Buxtehude, along with Heinrich
Schütz, is considered today to be one of the most
important German composers of the mid-Baroque.
The commemoration of Buxtehude's death in 2007 resulted
in widespread interest in his vocal works. Buxtehude
left more than 120 such pieces, which is remarkable
considering that as organist of St Mary's in Lübeck he
was not responsible for the vocal music for the
liturgy. Some of his sacred music may have been
performed during the services on Sundays and feastdays,
but most of it was probably intended for performance
during public concerts, in particular the famous
Abendmusiken.
This Canzonetta (originally in G major) was written in
1690 and is the only multi-sectional canzonetta among
the extant Buxtehude canzonetti. It is in two sections.
It is links together two brief fugal passages with
related subjects. The second section is a 12/8
variation on the first section which is in common time.
The two fugal passages are separated by only a couple
of measures of free material.
Although originally created for Organ, I adapted this
work for a Flute Quartet (Piccolo, Flutes (2) & Alto
Flute).