Johann Pachelbel

Johann Pachelbel (päkh'?lb?l) (August 1653 – March 3, 1706) was a German baroque composer and organist, best remembered for his Canon in D.

Works

Canon in D aside, Pachelbel is known for his works for organ: he composed more than two hundred pieces for the instrument. These include 95 magnificat fugues, most of which are based on invented themes and are brief pieces that were used to establish the pitch for the singers (whereas magnificat fugues were usually based on themes from the Magnificat, building upon a particular verse from the chant), and around 70 chorale preludes that demonstrated Pachelbel's knowledge of contemporary techniques for setting chorale melodies and developed a new compositional pattern that subsequently became a standard form.

Related Topics:
Magnificat - Fugues - Chorale prelude

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Other works include fugues and ricercars for organ, a number of chorale variations (sometimes called partitas for organ), around twenty suites for harpsichord, a considerable number of cantatas for the Lutheran church and chamber sonatas for various instruments, especially the violin.

Related Topics:
Ricercar - Partitas - Suite - Cantata - Lutheran - Sonatas - Violin

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A few collections of Pachelbel's music were published during his lifetime. These are:

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• Musicalische Sterbensgedancken ("Musical Thoughts on Death", 1683), four chorales with variations.
• Musicalische Ergotzung ("Musical Delight", 1691/1695), a set of six trio-sonatas for two violins and bass.
• Acht Chorale zum Praeambulieren (1693), eight chorale preludes.
• Hexachordum Apollinis ("Apollo's Lyre", 1699), six arias with variations.

Hexachordum Apollinis is regarded by many as Pachelbel's masterpiece. It consists of six arias for harpsichord or organ. Every aria contains a theme and a set of variations on that theme. The F minor aria, also known as Aria Sebaldina, included a dedication to Dietrich Buxtehude.

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