Canon in D Major

From Kanon und Gigue für drei Violinen und Generalbass - PWC 37 - T 337 - PC 358

This famous Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel belongs to the Baroque period.

It was composed between 1680 and 1706, and the oldest surviving manuscript copy dates from the 19th century.

Pachelbel's Canon is the first of two movements in the composer's Kanon und Gigue für 3 Violinen mit Generalbaß, PWC 37, T 337, PC 358.

It was originally composed for three violins and basso continuo.

This score is an arrangement for violin and piano.

In this arrangement, the piano part plays the role of the second and third violins as well as the continuo.

Pachelbel's Canon is an authentic canon, because the three violins play the exact same part, at intervals of two measures.

It also has elements of a chaconne, namely a repeated short harmonic progression, a stepwise descending melody (as in the first two measures of the violin part), as well as a repetitive bass line.

Please note that in accordance with the performance practice of the Baroque period, all trills should be played ON the beat, starting on the upper auxiliary note.

Duration : 05:52

Source : Johann Pachelbel, Chamber Music