Canon
Where to start with Buxtehude
Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles-
KeyboardAria: La Capricciosa, 32 variations for keyboard in G major, BuxWV250
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Chamber3 Pieces for String Orchestra
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VocalAlles, was ihr tut, for SATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV4
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KeyboardPassacaglia in D minor, BuxWV161
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KeyboardPraeludium in C major, BuxWV137
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KeyboardPraeludium in F major, BuxWV144
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KeyboardPraeludium in G minor, BuxWV148
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Chamber7 Sonatas, for violin, viola de gamba and harpsichord, BuxWV252-258, op. 1
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Chamber7 Sonatas, for violin, viola de gamba and harpsichord, BuxWV259-265, op. 2
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KeyboardAch Gott und Herr, BuxWV177
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KeyboardAch Herr, mich armen Sünder, in the Phrygian mode, BuxWV178
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VocalAlso hat Gott die Welt geliebet, for soprano, 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV5
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VocalAn Filius non est Dei, for ATB voices, 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV6
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KeyboardAria and 10 Variations, for keyboard in C major, BuxWV246
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KeyboardAria and 3 Variations, for harpsichord in A minor, BuxWV249
Listening guide
Hand-curated paths into Buxtehude's catalogueMost Popular
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Passacaglia in D minor BuxWV 161
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Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne in C major BuxWV 137
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Membra Jesu Nostri (cantata cycle)
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Ciacona in E minor BuxWV 160
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Praeludium in G minor BuxWV 163
Most Acclaimed
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Membra Jesu Nostri7 cantatas addressed to the body parts of Christ — feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart, face
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Praeludia for organ (complete)
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Ciacona in C major BuxWV 159
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Sonata in D major Op. 2 No. 1
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Abendmusik cantatas
Most Weird
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Membra Jesu Nostrithe concept — addressing each part of Christ’s body — is the most unusual in Baroque sacred music; Bach walked 400km to hear Buxtehude play
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Ciacona in E minor BuxWV 160the most harmonically extreme of his organ works
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Praeludium in F-sharp minor BuxWV 146F-sharp minor — an almost never-used key; dissonant and unsettling
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Sonata in A minor Op. 4violin + viola da gamba + keyboard — the gamba part is virtuosic
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Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe BuxWV 38cantata — opening ground bass like a funeral march
Similar composers
Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinityWorks 186
- Keyboard
- Aria: La Capricciosa, 32 variations for keyboard in G major, BuxWV250
- Passacaglia in D minor, BuxWV161
- Praeludium in C major, BuxWV137
- Praeludium in F major, BuxWV144
- Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV148
- Ach Gott und Herr, BuxWV177
- Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, in the Phrygian mode, BuxWV178
- Aria and 10 Variations, for keyboard in C major, BuxWV246
- Aria and 3 Variations, for harpsichord in A minor, BuxWV249
- Aria and 3 variations in D minor, BuxWV248, "Rofilis"
- Arias: More Palatino,12 variations in C major, BuxWV247
- Auf meinen lieben Gott, BuxWV179
- Canzona for in G minor, BuxWV173
- Canzona in C major, BuxWV166
- Canzona in D minor, BuxWV168
- Canzona in E minor, BuxWV169
- Canzona in G major, BuxWV170
- Canzonetta in A minor, BuxWV225
- Canzonetta in C major, BuxWV167
- Canzonetta in G major, BuxWV171
- Canzonetta in G major, BuxWV172
- Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam, in the Dorian mode, BuxWV180
- Ciaccona in E minor, BuxWV160
- Ciacona in C minor, BuxWV159
- Conzertstuck in A in free style
- Courant zimble, 8 variations in A minor, BuxWV245
- Danket dem Herrn, BuxWV181
- Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, BuxWV182
- Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt, in the Dorian mode, BuxWV183
- Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BuxWV184
- Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort, BuxWV185
- Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BuxWV186
- Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl, BuxWV187
- Fugue in B flat major, BuxWV176
- Fugue in C major, BuxWV174
- Fugue in G major, BuxWV175
- Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BuxWV188
- Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BuxWV189
- Gott der vater wohn uns bei, BuxWV190
- Herr Christ der einig Gottes Sohn, BuxWV191
- Herr Christ der einig Gottes Sohn, BuxWV192
- Herr Jesu Christ, ich weiss gar wohl, BuxWV193
- Ich dank dir schon durch deinen Sohn, BuxWV195
- Ich dank dir, lieber Herre, BuxWV194
- Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BuxWV196
- In dulci jubilo, BuxWV197
- Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, in G Dorian, BuxWV198
- Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BuxWV199
- Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BuxWV200
- Kommt her zu mir, spricht Gottes Sohn, BuxWV201
- Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BuxWV202
- Magnificat Primi Toni for organ, BuxWV203
- Magnificat Primi Toni, BuxWV203
- Magnificat Primi Toni, BuxWV204
- Magnificat noni toni, BuxWV205
- Mensch, willt du leben seliglich, in the Phrygian mode, BuxWV206
- Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BuxWV207
- Now We Thank Thee, for organ
- Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist, BuxWV208
- Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist, BuxWV209
- Nun freut euch lieben Chirsten g'mein, BuxWV210
- Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BuxWV211
- Nun lob mein Seel' den Herren, BuxWV212
- Nun lob mein Seel' den Herren, BuxWV213
- Nun lob mein Seel' den Herren, BuxWV214
- Nun lob mein Seel' den Herren, BuxWV214 and 215
- Praeambulum in A minor, BuxWV158
- Praeludium C, BuxWV138
- Praeludium G, BuxWV147
- Praeludium in A major, BuxWV151
- Praeludium in A minor, BuxWV153
- Praeludium in C major, BuxWV136
- Praeludium in D major, BuxWV139
- Praeludium in D minor, BuxWV140
- Praeludium in E major, BuxWV141
- Praeludium in E minor, BuxWV142
- Praeludium in E minor, BuxWV143
- Praeludium in F major, BuxWV145
- Praeludium in F sharp minor, BuxWV146
- Praeludium in G major, BuxWV162
- Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV 163
- Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV149
- Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV150
- Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV163
- Praeludium in Phrygian Mode, BuxWV152
- Puer natus in Bethlehem, BuxWV217
- Suite in A major, BuxWV243
- Suite in C major, BuxWV226
- Suite in D major, BuxWV232
- Suite in D minor, BuxWV233, "D'amour"
- Suite in E minor, BuxWV235
- Suite in E minor, BuxWV237
- Suite in F major, BuxWV238
- Suite in G minor BuxWV241
- Suite in G minor, BuxWV242
- Te Deum laudamus, in the Phrygian mode, BuxWV218
- Toccata in D minor, BuxWV155
- Toccata in F major, BuxWV156
- Toccata in F major, BuxWV157
- Toccata in G major, BuxWV164
- Toccata in G major, BuxWV165
- Vater unser in Himmelreich, BuxWV219
- Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BuxWV220
- Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BuxWV221
- Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BuxWV223
- Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, in the Dorian mode, BuxWV224
- Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit, BuxWV222
- Chamber
- 3 Pieces for String Orchestra
- 7 Sonatas, for violin, viola de gamba and harpsichord, BuxWV252-258, op. 1
- 7 Sonatas, for violin, viola de gamba and harpsichord, BuxWV259-265, op. 2
- Sonata and Suite in B flat major, for violin, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV273
- Sonata in A minor, for violin, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV272
- Sonata in C major, for 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV266
- Sonata in D major, for viola da gamba, violone and continuo, BuxWV267
- Sonata in F major, for 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV269
- Sonata in G major, for 2 violins, viola da gamba, and continuo, BuxWV271
- Vocal
- Alles, was ihr tut, for SATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV4
- Also hat Gott die Welt geliebet, for soprano, 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV5
- An Filius non est Dei, for ATB voices, 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV6
- Att du, Jesu, will mig höra, for soprano, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV8
- Befiehl dem Engel, dass er komm, for SATB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV10
- Benedictam Dominum, for SSATB and SATB voices, 2 violins, violone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, bombarde, 2 cornetts, bsn and BC, BuxWV113
- Cantate Domino canticum novum, for SSB voices and continuo, BuxWV12
- Das neugeborne Kindelein, for voices, 3 violins, violone, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV13
- Dein edles Herz, der Liebe Thron, for SATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV14
- Der Herr ist mit mir, for SATB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV15
- Dixit Dominus Domino meo, for soprano, 2 violins, 2 violas, spinet, violone and continuo, BuxWV17
- Domine, salvum fac regum, for SSATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV18
- Ecce nunc benedicite Domino, for ATTB voices, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV23
- Eins bitte ich vom Herrn, for SSATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV24
- Entreisst euch meine Sinnen, for soprano, 2 violins and conintuo, BuxWV25
- Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort, for chorus, 2 violins, violone or bombarde and continuo, BuxWV27
- Fried- und Freudenreiche Hinfahrt, cantata in 2 sections for SB voices, instruments and continuo, BuxWV76
- Fürwahr, er trug unsere Krankheit, Passion cantata for SSATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas da gamba, violone or basson and continuo, BuxWV31
- Gen Himmel zu dem Vater mein, chorale concerto for soprano, violin, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV32
- Gott, hilf mir, for SSSATBB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV34
- Herr, auf dich traue ich, for soprano, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV35
- Herr, ich lasse dich nicht, for TB voices, 2 violins, 3 violas da gamba, braccio, violone and continuo, BuxWV36
- Herr, nun lässt du deinen Diener, for tenor, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV37
- Herr, wenn ich nur dich hab', for soprano, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV38
- Herren vår Gud, for SATB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV40
- Herzlich Lieb hab ich dich O Herr, for SATTB voices, 2 trumpets, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone or basson and continuo, BuxWV41
- Ich bin der Auferstehung, for bass, 2 violins, 2 violas, 2 cornets, 2 trumpets, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV 44
- Ich bin eine Blume zu Saron, for bass, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV45
- Ich habe Lust abzuscheiden, for SSB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV47
- Ich halte es dafür, for SB voices, violin, violetta, violone and continuo, BuxWV48
- Ich suchte des Nachts, for tenor, baritone, oboe, violin, cello and continuo, BuxWV50
- Ihr lieben Christen, for SSATB voices, 3 violins, 2 violas, violone, 3 cornets, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones and continuo, BuxWV51
- In dulci jubilo, for 2 sopranos, bass, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV52
- In te, Domine, speravi, for SAB voices and continuo, BuxWV53
- Jesu dulcis memoria, for 2 sopranos, 2 violins, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV56
- Jesu dulcis memoria, for ATB voices, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV57
- Jesu komm mein Trost und Lachen, for ATB voices, 2 violins, violetta, violone and continuo, BuxWV58
- Jesu meine Freud und Lust, for alto, 2 violins, violetta, violone and continuo, BuxWV59
- Jesu, meine Freude, for 2 sopranos, bass, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV60
- Jubilate Domino, omnis terra, for alto, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV64
- Kommst du, Licht der Heiden, for SSB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV66
- Lauda anima mea Dominum, for soprano, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV67
- Laudate pueri Dominum, BuxWV69
- Lobe den Herrn meine Seele, for tenor, 3 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV71
- Mein Gemüt erfreuet sich, for SAB voices, 4 violins, 2 flutes, 4 cornets, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 3 bassoons and continuo, BuxWV72
- Mein Herz ist bereit, for bass, 3 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV73
- Membra Jesu Nostri, cantata in 7 sections for SSATB voices, 2 violins, 5 violas da gamba, violone and continuo, BuxWV75
- Nichts soll uns Scheiden, for SAB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV77
- Nimm von uns, Herr, for SATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violettas, basson and continuo, BuxWV78
- Nun danket alle Gott, for SSATB voices, 2 violins, violone, 2 cornets, 2 trumpets, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV79
- O Gottes Stadt, for soprano, 2 violins, viola, violone and continuo, BuxWV87
- O clemens, O mitis, for soprano, 4 strings and continuo, BuxWV82
- O dulcis Jesu, for soprano, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV83
- O fröhliche Stunden, O fröhliche Zeit, for soprano, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV84
- O wie selig sind, for TB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV90
- Pange lingua gloriosi, for SSAB voices, 2 violins, 2 violettas, violone and continuo, BuxWV91
- Quaemadmodum desiderat cervus, for tenor, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV92
- Salve, Jesu, Patris gnate unigenite, for SS voices, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV94
- Schaffe in mir, Gott, for soprano, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV95
- Sicut Moses exaltavit serpentem, for soprano, 2 violins, viola da gamba and continuo, BuxWV97
- Singet dem Herrn ein Neues Lied, for soprano, violin and continuo, BuxWV98
- Walts Gott mein Werk ich lasse, for SATB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV103
- Was frag' ich nach der Welt, for SAB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV104
- Was mich auf dieser Welt betrübt, for soprano, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV105
- Wenn ich, Herr Jesu, habe dich, for alto, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV107
- Wie schmeckt es so lieblich, for SAB voices, 2 violins, violone and continuo, BuxWV108
- Wie soll ich dich empfangen, for SSB voices, 2 violins, bassoon and continuo, BuxWV109
- Wie wird erneuet, wie wird erfreuet, for SSATTB voices,3 violins, 2 violas, violone, 3 cornets, 3 trumpets, cimbalon and Bc, BuxWV110
- Wo soll ich fliehen hin, for SATB voices, 2 violins, 2 violas, violone and continuo, BuxWV112
- Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit, for SATB voices, 2 violins and continuo, BuxWV102