Fuga in C BuxWV 174

Born around 1637, Dietrich Buxtehude held the post of organist at the Marienkirche in Lübeck for the majority of his life and he was a seminal figure in the North German Organ School. The Fuga in C major BuxWV 174 (for manuals only) is known as his 'jig' fugue thanks to the compound time signature and spritely style. It seems highly plausible that it was known by J. S. Bach, who was a great admirer of Buxtehude and whose own Fugue in G major BVW 577 was seemingly influenced by Buxtehude's earlier piece.

Amongst the many organs built by Arp Schnitger, his 1695 instrument in the Dorpskerk of Noordbroek is a particularly lovely example. The 4' Speelfluit of the Hoofdwerk is especially lovely and ideally suited to this piece.