Nikolaus Bruhns

Baroque German Organist and Composer

Nikolaus Bruhns (1665–1697) was a German composer and organist of the Baroque period. He was one of the most prominent pupils of Dietrich Buxtehude and is known for his highly expressive and virtuosic organ works. Bruhns composed a relatively small body of work, which includes several cantatas, instrumental pieces, and a few but significant organ praeludia that are considered masterpieces of the North German organ school. His music is characterized by its dramatic intensity, technical demands, and the fusion of vocal and instrumental styles. Despite his short life—he died at the age of 31—Bruhns' compositions had a lasting impact on the music of subsequent generations, including that of Johann Sebastian Bach. His works have been recorded and performed extensively in modern times, contributing to the revival of interest in Baroque music.