300 years ago, Dietrich Buxtehude, organist at St. Mary’s Church in Lubeck, Germany, died. His name is little remembered now except for a few organ pieces, but his actual output and reputation were so great that the 20-year-old Bach received permission to observe Buxtehude at work, walking the 280 miles each way. Bach was so impressed that he overstayed his leave by 2 months, missing Christmas in the process, and getting into trouble back home.

During this Tercentenary of Buxtehude’s death, St. Mary’s in Port Washington is presenting eight concerts of Buxtehude’s music, with the fifth to be given next Sunday, August 19th at 3:00 PM. The concert is free and open to the public, features organist Cindy Wilmeth, soprano Lauren Henkle, and members of Her Lady’s Singers, as well as instrumentalists. Other dates can be seen at the parish music web page http://stmarysmusic.irtonline.org.