Jimmy & The Magic Key was generously contributed to Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay by Roger Parellada Ferre.

Jimmy & The Magic Key follows Jimmy and his niece Lola on a magical, time-travelling adventure through the world of classical music. With the help of Jimmy's piano, which also doubles as a time machine, they journey into the past to meet some of the greatest composers in history—and lend a helping hand when they need it most!

Under the glow of the lights in the chilly town of Lübeck, Germany, Buxtehude has a dream… He wants to write a magnificent Christmas oratorio—a big musical story! But there’s one problem: performing it will cost a lot of money.

Join Jimmy and Lola on a magical wintertime adventure, as they travel back in time to help Buxtehude compose his brand-new Christmas tune!

Dieterich Buxtehude (1637 – 1707)

Say it like a maestro: (Dee-ter-rik Book-sta-hoo-duh)

No one really knows where Buxtehude was born—maybe Denmark, maybe Germany—but everyone agrees on one thing: he was a brilliant organist and composer! Buxtehude’s childhood is a bit of a mystery, but we do know that his father was an organist, and it’s likely he taught a young Buxtehude how to play.

Buxtehude’s amazing talent at the organ took him to different places around Europe. He went to Sweden, then Denmark, before finally settling in the snowy little town of Lübeck, Germany, where he became the organist at Marienkirche (St. Mary’s Church).

Buxtehude’s music was so incredible that future great composers travelled long distances just to hear him play. Most famously, a young Johann Sebastian Bach walked more than 400 kilometres to listen to Buxtehude perform!

Bach was so inspired by Buxtehude’s music that he copied several of his pieces by hand and brought them home to study. He had planned to stay only a short time, but he enjoyed learning from Buxtehude so much that he stayed four months longer than expected!

Buxtehude’s exciting Baroque style had a huge influence on Bach’s own music. Baroque music was a style from long ago, filled with flamboyant melodies, dramatic twists and turns, and lots of emotion.

Most of Buxtehude's music was written for the church, including organ pieces, choral works and grand compositions known as oratorios—religious-themed music featuring vocal soloists, a choir and an orchestra!

Many of these oratorios were performed during Buxtehude’s famous Abendmusiken, which were special evening concerts held at Marienkirche on the five Sundays before Christmas. Local merchants paid for the concerts, so everyone could come for free! Imagine sitting in the huge, echoing church, surrounded by candlelight, while beautiful Christmas music fills the air—what a magical way to spend a winter evening!

Sadly, many of Buxtehude’s compositions have been lost to time. But the music that remains show his great skill, incredible creativity and his powerful influence on many great Baroque composers who followed.

Test your knowledge of Dieterich Buxtehude through this fun game!

Keep the holiday magic going at Voices – A Festival of Song 2025, happening from 4 – 7 Dec 2025. Enjoy beautiful Christmas choral music at A Botanical Christmas with a cappella group Chroma, or delight in glorious opera arias (including music from the Baroque era) in Treasured Open Arias Across Eras. All part of this year’s Voices festival!