Dieterich Buxtehude (c. 1637/39 – 1707) was a
Danish-German 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. Today, Buxtehude is considered
one of the most important composers in Germany of the
mid-Baroque.
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Dieterich Buxtehude (c. 1637/39 – 1707) was a
Danish-German 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. Today, Buxtehude is considered
one of the most important composers in Germany of the
mid-Baroque.
He is thought to have been born with the name Diderich
Buxtehude. Scholars dispute both the year and country
of his birth, although most now accept that he was born
in 1637 in Helsingborg, Skåne, at the time part of
Denmark (but now part of Sweden). His obituary stated
that "he recognized Denmark as his native country,
whence he came to our region; he lived about 70 years".
Others, however, claim that he was born at Oldesloe in
the Duchy of Holstein, which at that time was a part of
the Danish Monarchy (but is now in Germany). Later in
his life he Germanized his name and began signing
documents Dieterich Buxtehude. Buxtehude was exposed to
the organ at a young age, as his father, Johannes
Buxtehude, was the organist at St. Olai 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.
In Dulci Jubilo ("In sweet rejoicing") is a traditional
Christmas carol. In its original setting, the carol is
a macaronic text of German and Latin dating from the
Middle Ages. Subsequent translations into English, such
as J.M. Neale's arrangement "Good Christian Men,
Rejoice" have increased its popularity, and Robert
Pearsall's 1837 macaronic translation is a mainstay of
the Christmas Nine Lessons and Carols repertoire. J.S.
Bach's chorale prelude based on the tune (BWV 729) is
also a traditional postlude for Christmas services.
Although Dieterich Buxtehude set the melody as a
chorale-cantata in 1683 for soprano, alto and bass
accompanied by two violins and continuo (BuxWV 52) and
as a chorale prelude for organ (BuxWV 197) c. 1690, I
created this arrangement for Chorus (SATB) and Wind
Quintet (Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, French Horn &
Bassoon) at the request of Hans Dingemans from The
Netherlands.
SHEET MUSIC