This CD gives a glimpse into the rich musical world of Dieterich Buxtehude and his contemporaries. These composers were active as Kapellmeisters and wrote music for the various Collegia Musica, often to be specifically performed during the concerts known as Abendmusiken.

The Collegium Musicum was a musical association or society that was devoted to the playing and enjoyment of instrumental and vocal music. The composers featured on the disc were also associated with the Hamburg or North German School of the seventeenth century.

Originally established to entertain businessmen who assembled in the Marienkirche in Lübeck to await the opening of the stock exchange at noon on Thursdays, the concerts known as Abendmusiken most probably began as organ recitals during the tenure of Buxtehude's predecessor Franz Tunder (1614-1667). Buxtehude's legacy was the addition of an orchestra and choir and a rescheduling of the concerts from during the week to five concerts on the Sundays between Martinmas (November twelfth) and Christmas.

Such organizations were largely comprised of members from the upper echelons of society for example, doctors, lawyers, well-to-do merchants or members of local government who would meet at some central place or in their homes. Music was made either by the members themselves or by the local Kantor or the town musicians.

The Caecilia-Concert is a versatile instrumental ensemble specialising in the research and performance of 17th century music for instruments and voices. Its individual members hold prominent positions in several of the leading period instrument ensembles, including the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and The English Baroque Soloists.

Caecilia-Concert:
Fiona Russell: Cornetto/Cornettino

Adam Woolf: Tenor Trombone

Wouter Verschuren: Dulcian

Kathryn Cok: Harpsichord & Organ

Annabelle Ferdinand: Violin