he began the tradition of "abendmusiken", a long series of free concerts in the marienkirche, the most elaborate of which were before christmas time. the earliest of these concerts occurred in 1646. the concerts seem to have originated as organ performances specifically for the businessmen who congregated at the weekly opening of the town's stock exchange. these concerts were to continue through the 17th and 18th centuries; they were distinguished from other concerts by having free admission (for they took place in a church), and by being financed by the business community.