North German church music in the age of Buxtehude

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Dietrich Buxtehude (c. 1637-1707) stands as a pivotal figure in German music history between Schutz and Bach. While his church music remains popular today, the works of his North German contemporaries—such as Matthias Weckmann, Christoph Bernhard, Nicolaus Bruhns, and Johann Meder—have not received similar attention. This book offers an overview of North German church music from Buxtehude's era, much of which is still not available in modern editions. It challenges common perceptions regarding the repertory's nature and development, revealing a landscape more influenced by Italian styles than previously recognized, and one not centered around a single composer. After exploring the religious and liturgical contexts of the music, Geoffrey Webber investigates how Italian church music was introduced and performed in the region, surveying composers from key courts and cities across North Germany and the Baltic. He emphasizes the connection between the social environments of individual composers and their musical output. The analysis of the repertory is thorough, concluding with a discussion on performance practice issues.