Keyboard Suites

One of the great testimonials to the musicianship of Danish-born composer and organist Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) is the frequently told story of the young Johann Sebastian Bach walking more than 200 miles to hear the great man play during one of his famous Abendmusiken concerts in L beck. It is widely believed that Bach was responsible for helping preserve Buxtehude's organ music, much of which he brought back with him from the north-German city. Today, Buxtehude's talents as a composer are especially evident in his remarkable instrumental music -- pieces that strongly influenced Bach, Bach's contemporaries, and later composers.

The present compilation comprises 19 keyboard suites, each consisting of four classic, extremely popular, stylized court dances: the allemande, courante, sarabande, and gigue. Slight variations (such as a pair of sarabandes) are also included.

Selected from an authoritative early edition, these expressive, beautifully constructed pieces will appeal to a wide range of keyboard musicians and music lovers.