Pachelbel's Canon is the name commonly given to a canon by the German Baroque composer, Johann Pachelbel, in his Canon and Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo (German: Kanon und Gigue für 3 Violinen mit Generalba?) (PWC 37, T. 337, PC 358). It is his most famous composition. It was originally scored for three violins and basso continuo and paired with a gigue. Both movements are in thekey of D major.
Like most other works by Pachelbel and other pre-1700 composers, the Canon remained forgotten for centuries and was rediscovered only in the 20th century. Several decades after it was first published in 1919 the piece became extremely popular. The piece was particularly prevalent in the pop charts of the 1990s, being sampled and appropriated in numerous commercial hits such as Coolio's "C U When U Get There" and Green Day's "Basket Case".[1] It is frequently played at weddings and included on classical music compilations, along with other famous Baroque pieces such as 'Air on the G String'.
Although a true canon at the unison in three parts, it also has elements of a chaconne. It has been frequently arranged and transcribed for many different media.
Pachelbel's famous Canon, although usually heard on massed strings and with the gratuitous addition of viola parts, was originally scored for three solo violins and continuo, and was intended to be followed (as in this recording) with a short Gigue. The technical demands of writing in three-part canon are increased by setting the whole movement over a basso ostinato, a simple two-bar sequence of harmonies that supports 28 virtuoso canonic variations.
Performed by London Baroque: Ingrid Seifert & Andrew Manze (Violins), Richard Gwilt & Irmgard Schaller (Violins & Violas), Charles Medlam (Violoncello & Viola da gamba), Richard Egarr (Keyboard & Organ), and William Carter (Theorbo)