This book surveys North German church music from the period of the best-known of J.S. Bach's immediate German predecessors, Dietrich Buxtehude (c.1637-1707). Webber places particular emphasis on composers whose work has suffered unjust neglect, and on the influence of contemporary Italian church music. As well as providing a detailed study of the music itself, the book also examines its religious and social background and aspects of performance practice.