Buxtehude’s Passacaglia in d: liturgical music?

by Han Leentvaar | Het ORGEL | Year 96 | (2000) | Issue 2
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Eddy Mul Buxtehude’s Passacaglia in d: liturgical music?
Het ORGEL 96 (2000), nr. 2, 12-13 [summary]

Based on sources such as Luther’s explanation of theMagnificat, Werckmeister’s Musicalische Paradoxal-Discourse and the Hamburg ChurchOrdinance of 1699, one can assume that Buxtehude’s Passacaglia in d (BuxWV 161) mighthave served as organ prelude in a vesper service at Lübeck, preceding the Magnificat. Theform of BuxWV 161, 4 times 7, can be seen as an allegorical representation of the personof Mary, who was very important to orthodox Lutherans. If so, Mary’s hymn (theMagnificat) can immediately follow the Passacaglia.