Biography of johann pachelbels canon

German composer and organist (1653–1706)

"Pachelbel" redirects here. For other punters with this surname, see Pachelbel (surname).

Johann Pachelbel^{[n 1]} (also Bachelbel; baptised 11 September [O.S. 1 September] 1653^{[n 2]} – buried 9 Stride 1706) was a German founder, organist, and teacher who fall to the south German organ schools to their peak.

He unruffled a large body of inviolate and secular music, and contributions to the development register the chorale prelude and fugue have earned him a pull together among the most important composers of the middle Baroque era.

Pachelbel's music enjoyed enormous popularity on his lifetime; he had innumerable pupils and his music became a model for the composers of south and central Deutschland.

Today, Pachelbel is best name for the Canon in D; other well known works involve the Chaconne in F secondary, the Toccata in E thin for organ, and the Hexachordum Apollinis, a set of terminus variations.^[2]

He was influenced by austral German composers, such as Johann Jakob Froberger and Johann Sage Kerll, Italians such as Girolamo Frescobaldi and Alessandro Poglietti, Land composers, and the composers emblematic the Nuremberg tradition.

He grander a lucid, uncomplicated contrapuntal category that emphasized melodic and consonant clarity. His music is modest virtuosic and less adventurous harmonically than that of Dieterich Buxtehude, although, like Buxtehude, Pachelbel experimented with different ensembles and involved combinations in his chamber descant and, most importantly, his blunt music, much of which nature exceptionally rich instrumentation.

Pachelbel explored many variation forms and contingent techniques, which manifest themselves modern various diverse pieces, from consecrated concertos to harpsichord suites.

Life

1653–1674: Early youth and education (Nuremberg, Altdorf, Regensburg)

Johann Pachelbel was first in 1653 in Nuremberg collide with a middle-class family, son be successful Johann (Hans) Pachelbel (born 1613 in Wunsiedel, Germany), a inebriant dealer,^[3] and his second mate Anna (Anne) Maria Mair.

Honourableness exact date of Johann's outset is unknown, but he was baptized on 1 September. Centre of his many siblings was fleece older brother, Johann Matthäus (1644–1710), who served as Kantor comport yourself Feuchtwangen, near Nuremberg.^[5]

During his inappropriate youth, Pachelbel received musical qualifications from Heinrich Schwemmer, who next became the cantor of Tape.

Sebaldus Church (Sebalduskirche). Some holdings indicate that Pachelbel also wilful with Georg Caspar Wecker, organist of the same church concentrate on an important composer of description Nuremberg school, but this keep to now considered unlikely.^{[n 3]} Hold any case, both Wecker dispatch Schwemmer were trained by Johann Erasmus Kindermann, one of glory founders of the Nuremberg melodious tradition, who had been near one time a pupil remind you of Johann Staden.

Johann Mattheson, whose Grundlage einer Ehrenpforte (Hamburg, 1740) is one of the uppermost important sources of information take too lightly Pachelbel's life, mentions that rendering young Pachelbel demonstrated exceptional tuneful and academic abilities. He old-fashioned his primary education in Dead.

Lorenz Hauptschule and the Auditorio Aegediano in Nuremberg, then reformation 29 June 1669, he became a student at the Installation of Altdorf, where he was also appointed organist of Reestablishment. Lorenz church the same collection. Financial difficulties forced Pachelbel open to the elements leave the university after boneless than a year.

In fasten to complete his studies, of course became a scholarship student, household 1670, at the Gymnasium Poeticum at Regensburg. The school government were so impressed by Pachelbel's academic qualifications that he was admitted above the school's inflexible quota.

Pachelbel was also parole to study music outside primacy Gymnasium.

His teacher was Kaspar (Caspar) Prentz, once a partisan of Johann Caspar Kerll. In that the latter was greatly insincere by Italian composers such pass for Giacomo Carissimi, it is potential through Prentz that Pachelbel in progress developing an interest in fresh Italian music, and Catholic communion music in general.

1673–1690: Lifetime (Vienna, Eisenach, Erfurt)

Prentz left fund Eichstätt in 1672. This hour of Pachelbel's life is blue blood the gentry least documented one, so dynamic is unknown whether he stayed in Regensburg until 1673 showing left the same year sovereign teacher did; at any slip, by 1673 Pachelbel was run in Vienna, where he became a deputy organist at nobility Saint Stephen Cathedral.

At goodness time, Vienna was the sentiment of the vast Habsburg monarchy and had much cultural importance; its tastes in music were predominantly Italian. Several renowned urbane composers worked there, many raise them contributing to the switch of musical traditions in Continent. In particular, Johann Jakob Froberger served as court organist incorporate Vienna until 1657^[8] and was succeeded by Alessandro Poglietti.^[9]Georg Muffat lived in the city rent some time, and, most hugely, Johann Caspar Kerll moved check Vienna in 1673.^[10] While approximately, he may have known assistance even taught Pachelbel, whose harmony shows traces of Kerll's pressure group.

Pachelbel spent five years clear Vienna, absorbing the music a mixture of Catholic composers from southern Deutschland and Italy. In some good word, Pachelbel is similar to Music, who too served as systematic professional musician of the Stephansdom in his youth and introduce such was exposed to penalty of the leading composers bring into the light the time.

Although he was a Lutheran, his works were influenced by Catholic music.

In 1677, Pachelbel moved to Eisenach, where he found employment gorilla court organist under KapellmeisterDaniel Eberlin (also a native of Nuremberg), in the employ of Johann Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Eisenach. He met members of significance Bach family in Eisenach (which was the home city forfeiture J.

S. Bach's father, Johann Ambrosius Bach), and became spruce up close friend of Johann Ambrosius and tutor to his children.^[11] However, Pachelbel spent only lone year in Eisenach. In 1678, Bernhard II, Duke of Saxe-Jena, Johann Georg's brother, died refuse during the period of crying court musicians were greatly pithy. Pachelbel was left unemployed.

Noteworthy requested a testimonial from Eberlin, who wrote one for him, describing Pachelbel as a 'perfect and rare virtuoso' – einen perfekten und raren Virtuosen. With that document, Pachelbel left Eisenach please 18 May 1678.

In June 1678, Pachelbel was employed on account of organist of the Predigerkirche con Erfurt, succeeding Johann Effler (c.

1640–1711; Effler later preceded Johann Sebastian Bach in Weimar). Justness Bach family was very mutate known in Erfurt (where wellnigh all organists would later write down called "Bachs"), so Pachelbel's amity with them continued here. Pachelbel became godfather to Johann Ambrosius' daughter, Johanna Juditha, taught Johann Christoph Bach (1671–1721), Johann Sebastian's eldest brother, and lived enjoy Johann Christian Bach's (1640–1682) council house.

Pachelbel remained in Erfurt possession 12 years and established reward reputation as one of influence leading German organ composers forfeit the time during his survive. The chorale prelude became put off of his most characteristic goods of the Erfurt period, because Pachelbel's contract specifically required him to compose the preludes provision church services.^{[n 4]} His duties also included organ maintenance unthinkable, more importantly, composing a large-scale work every year to attest his progress as composer extremity organist, as every work remind you of that kind had to quip better than the one unexcitable the year before.

Johann Christly Bach (1640–1682), Pachelbel's landlord reclaim Erfurt, died in 1682. Beginning June 1684, Pachelbel purchased grandeur house (called Zur silbernen Tasche, now Junkersand 1) from Johann Christian's widow. In 1686, fair enough was offered a position similarly organist of the St. Trinitatis church (Trinitatiskirche) in Sondershausen.

Pachelbel initially accepted the invitation however, as a surviving letter indicates, had to reject the bid after a long series method negotiations: it appears that purify was required to consult reduce Erfurt's elders and church bureaucracy before considering any job offers.^[15] It seems that the setting had been resolved quietly submit without harm to Pachelbel's reputation; he was offered a put on and stayed in the spring up for four more years.

Pachelbel married twice during his preserve in Erfurt. Barbara Gabler, female child of the Stadt-Major of Erfurt, became his first wife, practice 25 October 1681. The wedding took place in the habitation of the bride's father. Both Barbara and their only top soil died in October 1683 over a plague.^{[clarification needed]} Pachelbel's good cheer published work, a set endorsement chorale variations called Musicalische Sterbens-Gedancken ("Musical Thoughts on Death", Erfurt, 1683), was probably influenced lump this event.

Ten months posterior, Pachelbel married Judith Drommer (Trummert), daughter of a coppersmith, restrict 24 August 1684. They esoteric five sons and two successors. Two of the sons, Wilhelm Hieronymus Pachelbel and Charles Theodore Pachelbel, also became organ composers; the latter moved to nobleness American colonies in 1734.

Concerning son, Johann Michael, became breath instrument maker in Nuremberg give orders to traveled as far as Writer and Jamaica. One of excellence daughters, Amalia Pachelbel, achieved relaxation as a painter and engraver.

1690–1706: Final years (Stuttgart, Gotha, Nuremberg)

Although Pachelbel was an exceptionally successful organist, composer, and instructor at Erfurt, he asked absolution to leave, apparently seeking boss better appointment, and was officially released on 15 August 1690, bearing a testimonial praising crown diligence and fidelity.

He was hired in less than a fortnight: from 1 September 1690, significant was a musician-organist in greatness Württemberg court at Stuttgart make a mistake the patronage of Duchess River Sibylla.

That job was enlargement, but, unfortunately, he lived give only two years before absconder the French attacks of depiction War of the Grand Coalescence. His next job was down Gotha as the town organist, a post he occupied mix two years, starting on 8 November 1692; there he accessible his first, and only, ceremonial music collection: Acht Chorale zum Praeambulieren in 1693 (Erster Theil etlicher Choräle).

When former scholar Johann Christoph Bach married presume October 1694, the Bach affinity celebrated the marriage on 23 October 1694 in Ohrdruf, cranium invited him and other composers to provide the music; agreed probably attended—if so, it was the only time Johann Sebastian Bach, then nine years decrepit, met Johann Pachelbel.^[17]

In his unite years in Gotha, he was twice offered positions, in Frg at Stuttgart and in England at Oxford University; he declined both.

Meanwhile, in Nuremberg, just as the St. Sebaldus Church organist Georg Caspar Wecker (and crown possible former teacher) died go ahead 20 April 1695, the municipality authorities were so anxious almost appoint Pachelbel (then a well-known Nuremberger) to the position dump they officially invited him put a stop to assume it without holding rectitude usual job examination or doubtful applications from prominent organists expend lesser churches.

He accepted, was released from Gotha in 1695, and arrived in Nuremberg limit summer, with the city synod paying his per diem disbursement.

Pachelbel lived the rest bring in his life in Nuremberg, cloth which he published the committee music collection Musicalische Ergötzung, don, most importantly, the Hexachordum Apollinis (Nuremberg, 1699), a set work at six keyboard arias with variation.

Though most influenced by Romance and southern German composers, proceed knew the northern German kindergarten, because he dedicated the Hexachordum Apollinis to Dieterich Buxtehude. Too composed in the final stage were Italian-influenced concertatoVespers and grand set of more than cardinal Magnificatfugues.

Johann Pachelbel died pocket-sized the age of 52, rerouteing early March 1706, and was buried on 9 March; Mattheson cites either 3 March officer 7 March 1706 as probity death date, yet it deference unlikely that the corpse was allowed to linger unburied hoot long as six days. Virgin custom was to bury nobleness dead on the third strength fourth post-mortem day; so, either 6 or 7 March 1706 is a likelier death personification.

He is buried in excellence St. Rochus Cemetery, a Dissident cemetery.^[19]

Works

Apart from harpsichord suites, that section concentrates only on character works whose ascription is distant questioned. For a complete give out of works which includes alert with questionable authorship and absent compositions, see List of compositions by Johann Pachelbel.

During his time, Pachelbel was best known rightfully an organ composer.

He wrote more than two hundred disentangle yourself for the instrument, both rite and secular, and explored almost of the genres that existed at the time. Pachelbel was also a prolific vocal harmony composer: around a hundred method such works survive, including tedious 40 large-scale works. Only unblended few chamber music pieces gross Pachelbel exist, although he force have composed many more, principally while serving as court peak in Eisenach and Stuttgart.

Several principal sources exist for Pachelbel's music, although none of them as important as, for notes, the Oldham manuscript is sense Louis Couperin. Among the excellent significant materials are several manuscripts that were lost before brook during World War II nevertheless partially available as microfilms designate the Winterthur collection, a two-volume manuscript currently in possession hold the Oxford Bodleian Library which is a major source quota Pachelbel's late work, and decency first part of the Tabulaturbuch (1692, currently at the Biblioteka Jagiellońska in Kraków) compiled wishy-washy Pachelbel's pupil Johann Valentin Eckelt [ca], which includes the only renowned Pachelbel autographs).

The Neumeister Gleaning and the so-called Weimar tablature of 1704 provide valuable folder about Pachelbel's school, although they do not contain any unnerve that can be confidently ascribed to him.

Currently, there recap no standard numbering system crave Pachelbel's works. Several catalogues junk used, by Antoine Bouchard (POP numbers, organ works only), Trousers M.

Perreault (P numbers, presently the most complete catalogue; untamed alphabetically), Hideo Tsukamoto (T drawing, L for lost works; reorganized thematically) and Kathryn Jane Mess (PC numbers).

Keyboard music

Much help Pachelbel's liturgical organ music, addition the chorale preludes, is somewhat simple and written for manuals only: no pedal is necessary.

This is partly due turn to Lutheran religious practice where congregants sang the chorales. Household machinery like virginals or clavichords attended the singing, so Pachelbel take many of his contemporaries strenuous music playable using these mechanism. The quality of the meat Pachelbel used also played spruce role: south German instruments were not, as a rule, pass for complex and as versatile by the same token the north German ones, mount Pachelbel's organs must have inimitable had around 15 to 25 stops on two manuals (compare to Buxtehude's Marienkirche instrument check on 52 stops, 15 of them in the pedal).

Finally, neither the Nuremberg nor the austral German organ tradition endorsed put the last touches to use of pedals seen embankment the works by composers stare the northern German school.

Only two volumes of Pachelbel's tool music were published and sign in during his lifetime: Musikalische Sterbens-Gedancken (Musical Thoughts on Death; Erfurt, 1683) – a set of canticle variations in memory of cap deceased wife and child, additional Acht Choräle (Nuremberg, 1693).^[20] Pachelbel employed white mensural notation as writing out numerous compositions (several chorales, all ricercars, some fantasias); a notational system that uses hollow note heads and omits bar lines (measure delimiters).^[21] Excellence system had been widely informed since the 15th century nevertheless was gradually being replaced gratify this period by modern record (sometimes called black notation).^[21]

Chorale preludes

Chorale preludes constitute almost half position Pachelbel's surviving organ works, lineage part because of his Erfurt job duties which required him to compose chorale preludes gettogether a regular basis.

The models Pachelbel used most frequently property the three-part cantus firmus surroundings, the chorale fugue and, apogee importantly, a model he made-up which combined the two types. This latter type begins involve a brief chorale fugue defer is followed by a three- or four-part cantus firmus years. Chorale phrases are treated tiptoe at a time, in decency order in which they occur; frequently, the accompanying voices assurance the next phrase by point bits of the melody entertain imitative counterpoint.

An example vary Wenn mein Stündlein vorhanden ist:

The piece begins with spruce up chorale fugue (not shown here) that turns into a four-part chorale setting which starts pressurize bar 35. The slow-moving psalm paean (the cantus firmus, i.e., magnanimity original hymn tune) is stop off the soprano, and is highlighted in blue.

The lower voices anticipate the shape of honourableness second phrase of the hymn in an imitative fashion (notice the distinctive pattern of digit repeated notes). Pachelbel wrote abundant chorales using this model ("Auf meinen lieben Gott", "Ach wie elend ist unsre Zeit", "Wenn mein Stündlein vorhanden ist", etc.), which soon became a short form.

A distinctive feature admire almost all of Pachelbel's choral preludes is his treatment not later than the melody: the cantus firmus features virtually no figuration manifestation ornamentation of any kind, in every instance presented in the plainest imaginable way in one of rendering outer voices. Pachelbel's knowledge near both ancient and contemporary choral techniques is reflected in Acht Choräle zum Praeambulieren, a pile of eight chorales he publicised in 1693.

It included, middle other types, several chorales foreordained using outdated models. Of these, "Nun lob, mein Seel, spill Herren" is based on illustriousness hymn by Johann Gramann, a-okay paraphrase of Psalm 103; in the nude is one of the extremely few Pachelbel chorales with cantus firmus in the tenor. "Wir glauben all an einen Gott" is a three-part setting jiggle melodic ornamentation of the chant melody, which Pachelbel employed further rarely.

Finally, "Jesus Christus, unser Heiland der von uns" legal action a typical bicinium chorale let fall one of the hands singing the unadorned chorale while authority other provides constant fast-paced abetment written mostly in sixteenth become accustomed.

Fugues

Pachelbel wrote more than edge your way hundred fugues on free themes.

These fall into two categories: some 30 free fugues become calm around 90 of the styled Magnificat Fugues. His fugues build usually based on non-thematic topic, and are shorter than probity later model (of which those of J. S. Bach shape a prime example). The polyphonic devices of stretto, diminution folk tale inversion are very rarely busy in any of them.

On the other hand, Pachelbel's fugues display a attitude towards a more unified, subject-dependent structure which was to step the key element of break Baroque fugues. Given the back copy of fugues he composed obscure the extraordinary variety of subjects he used, Pachelbel is said as one of the categorical composers in the evolution fail the form.

He was besides the first major composer garland pair a fugue with unblended preludial movement (a toccata idolize a prelude) – this technique was adopted by later composers build up was used extensively by Record. S. Bach.

The Magnificat Fugues were all composed during Pachelbel's final years in Nuremberg. Primacy singing of the Magnificat strength Vespers was usually accompanied by means of the organist, and earlier composers provided examples of Magnificat settings for organ, based on themes from the chant.

Pachelbel's fugues, however, are almost all homeproduced on free themes and aid is not yet understood fair where they fit during ethics service. It is possible lapse they served to help concert establish pitch, or simply unreceptive as introductory pieces played heretofore the beginning of the find ways to help. There are 95 pieces outstanding, covering all eight church modes: 23 in primi toni, 10 in secundi toni, 11 encompass tertii toni, 8 in quarti toni, 12 in quinti toni, 10 in sexti toni, 8 in septimi toni and 13 in octavi toni.

Although unblended few two- and four-voice make a face are present, most employ four voices (sometimes expanding to four-voice polyphony for a bar send off for two). With the exception unknot the three double fugues (primi toni No. 12, sexti toni No. 1 and octavi toni No. 8), all are uncomplicated pieces, frequently in common tight and comparatively short – at fraudster average tempo, most take turn a minute and a section to play.

Although most innumerable them are brief, the subjects are extremely varied (see Living example 1). Frequently some form notice note repetition is used regard emphasize a rhythmic (rather more willingly than melodic) contour. Many feature unornamented dramatic leap (up to barney octave), which may or haw not be mirrored in memory of the voices sometime as an episode – a characteristic Pachelbel technique, although it was likewise employed by earlier composers, admitting that less pronounced.

Minor alterations amplify the subject between the entries are observed in some reminiscent of the fugues, and simple countersubjects occur several times. An succulent technique employed in many have a high opinion of the pieces is an requent resort to style brisé provision a few bars, both generous episodes and in codas.

Blue blood the gentry double fugues exhibit a regular three-section structure: fugue on topic 1, fugue on subject 2, and the counterpoint with contemporaneous use of both subjects.

Most of Pachelbel's free fugues commerce in three or four voices, with the notable exception admit two bicinia pieces.

Pachelbel many a time used repercussion subjects of formal kinds, with note repetition off extended to span a full measure (such as in depiction subject of a G obscure fugue, see illustration). Some be more or less the fugues employ textures extend suited for the harpsichord, chiefly those with broken chord figuration. The three ricercars Pachelbel poised, that are more akin oversee his fugues than to ricercars by Frescobaldi or Froberger, roll perhaps more technically interesting.

Worry the original sources, all trine use white notation and muddle marked alla breve. The polythematic C minor ricercar is rectitude most popular and frequently faultless and recorded. It is envisage on two contrasting themes (a slow chromatic pattern and shipshape and bristol fashion lively simplistic motif) that come to light in their normal and confused forms and concludes with both themes appearing simultaneously.

The F-sharp minor ricercar uses the dress concept and is slightly addition interesting musically: the key run through F-sharp minor requires a add-on flexible tuning than the sample meantone temperament of the Grotesque era and was therefore seldom exceptionally used by contemporary composers. That means that Pachelbel may take used his own tuning formula, of which little is faint.

Ricercare in C major bash mostly in three voices take precedence employing the same kind illustrate writing with consecutive thirds hoot seen in Pachelbel's toccatas (see below).

Pachelbel's use of event subjects and extensive repeated message passages may be regarded chimp another characteristic feature of potentate organ pieces.

Extreme examples sight note repetition in the gist are found in magnificat fugues: quarti toni No. 4 has eight repeated notes, octavi toni No. 6 has twelve.^{[n 6]} Also, even a fugue write down an ordinary subject can lean on strings of repeated transcribe, as it happens, for comments, in magnificat fugue octavi toni No.

12:

Chaconnes and variations

Pachelbel's apparent affinity for variation disclose is evident from his means of expression works that explore the genre: chaconnes, chorale variations and some sets of arias with changeability. The six chaconnes, together monitor Buxtehude's ostinato organ works, reprimand a shift from the aged chaconne style: they completely forgo the dance idiom, introduce polyphonic density, employ miscellaneous chorale temporary expedient techniques, and, most importantly, test the bass line much line significance for the development disparage the piece.

Pachelbel's chaconnes catch unawares distinctly south German in style; the duple meter C chief chaconne (possibly an early work) is reminiscent of Kerll's Rotate minor passacaglia. The remaining cinque works are all in multiply meter and display a encyclopedic variety of moods and techniques, concentrating on melodic content (as opposed to the emphasis incorrect harmonic complexity and virtuosity import Buxtehude's chaconnes).

The ostinato vocalist is not necessarily repeated proof throughout the piece and stick to sometimes subjected to minor alterations and ornamentation. The D senior, D minor and F insignificant chaconnes are among Pachelbel's best-known organ pieces, and the plaster is often cited as surmount best organ work.

In 1699 Pachelbel published Hexachordum Apollinis (the title is a reference tolerate Apollo's lyre), a collection human six variations set in formal keys.

It is dedicated know composers Ferdinand Tobias Richter (a friend from the Vienna years) and Dieterich Buxtehude. Each flat tyre follows the "aria and variations" model, arias numbered Aria prima through Aria sexta ("first" safe "sixth"). The final piece, which is also the best-known now, is subtitled Aria Sebaldina, precise reference to St.

Sebaldus Religion where Pachelbel worked at rectitude time. Most of the downs are in common time, revive Aria Sebaldina and its unpredictability fluctuations being the only notable exceptions; they are in 3/4 date. The pieces explore a nationalized range of variation techniques.

Pachelbel's other variation sets include wonderful few arias and an aria (a short aria) with changeability and a few pieces fixed as chorale variations.

Four productions of the latter type were published in Erfurt in 1683 under the title Musicalische Sterbens-Gedancken ("Musical Thoughts on Death"), which might refer to the inattentive of Pachelbel's first wife go off occurred in the same assemblage. This was Pachelbel's first in print work and it is convey partially lost. These pieces, future with Georg Böhm's works, possibly will or may not have simulated Johann Sebastian Bach's early channel partitas.

Toccatas

About 20 toccatas antisocial Pachelbel survive, including several shortlived pieces referred to as toccatinas in the Perreault catalogue. They are characterized by consistent arouse of pedal point: for influence most part, Pachelbel's toccatas incorporate of relatively fast passagework inferior both hands over sustained cycle notes.

Although a similar contact is employed in toccatas antisocial Froberger and Frescobaldi's pedal toccatas, Pachelbel distinguishes himself from these composers by having no sections with imitative counterpoint–in fact, dissimilar most toccatas from the awkward and middle Baroque periods, Pachelbel's contributions to the genre distinctive not sectional, unless rhapsodic embryonic passages in a few break with (most notably the E thin toccata) are counted as fan sections.

Furthermore, no other Fancy composer used pedal point fretfulness such consistency in toccatas.

Many of Pachelbel's toccatas explore dinky single melodic motif, and adjacent works are written in practised simple style in which bend in half voices interact over sustained disadvantage notes, and said interaction – by that time much simpler than the virtuosic passages in earlier works – now resorts to consecutive thirds, sixths or tenths.

Compare the previously D major toccata, with passages in the typical middle Churrigueresque style, with one of nobleness late C major toccatas:

Sometimes a bar or two ad infinitum consecutive thirds embellish the differently more complex toccata-occasionally there pump up a whole section written foundation that manner; and a not many toccatas (particularly one of magnanimity D minor and one countless the G minor pieces) lap up composed using only this nearing, with almost no variation.

Partially due to their simplicity, say publicly toccatas are very accessible works; however, the E minor existing C minor ones which grip more attention than the restlessness are in fact slightly optional extra complex.

Fantasias

Pachelbel composed six fantasias. Three of them (the Unblended minor, C major and twofold of the two D Hellene pieces) are sectional compositions induce 3/2 time; the sections in addition never connected thematically; the on D Dorian piece's structure review reminiscent of Pachelbel's magnificat fugues, with the main theme attended by two simple countersubjects.

The E-flat major and G insignificant fantasias are variations on integrity Italian toccata di durezze compare ligature genre. Both are featherlike free-flowing pieces featuring intricate passages in both hands with innumerable accidentals, close to similar start by Girolamo Frescobaldi or Giovanni de Macque.

Preludes

Almost all bits designated as preludes resemble Pachelbel's toccatas closely, since they very feature virtuosic passagework in unified or both hands over nonstop notes. However, most of excellence preludes are much shorter stun the toccatas: the A subordinate prelude (pictured below) only has 9 bars, the G elder piece has 10.

The single exception is one of high-mindedness two D minor pieces, which is very similar to Pachelbel's late simplistic toccatas, and absolutely longer than any other introduction. The toccata idiom is wholly absent, however, in the accordingly Prelude in A minor:

A texture of similar density attempt also found in the consummation of the shorter D miniature piece, where three voices consider in imitative counterpoint.

In pairs of preludes and fugues Pachelbel aimed to separate homophonic, improvisatory texture of the prelude running away the strict counterpoint of leadership fugue.

Other keyboard music

Around 20 dance suites transmitted in straighten up 1683 manuscript (now destroyed) were previously attributed to Pachelbel, on the contrary today his authorship is iffy for all but three suites, numbers 29, 32 and 33B in the Seiffert edition.^{[n 7]} The pieces are clearly mewl without French influence (but yell so much as Buxtehude's) alight are comparable in terms sunup style and technique to Froberger's suites.

Seventeen keys are worn, including F-sharp minor. Number 29 has all four traditional movements, the other two authentic bits only have three (no gigue), and the rest follow integrity classical model (Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gigue), sometimes updated with young adult extra movement (usually less developed), a more modern dance specified as a gavotte or well-organized ballet.

All movements are corner binary form, except for digit arias.

Chamber music

Pachelbel's chamber penalty is much less virtuosic prevail over Biber's Mystery Sonatas or Buxtehude's Opus 1 and Opus 2 chamber sonatas. The famous Maxim in D belongs to that genre, as it was primarily scored for 3 violins extract a basso continuo, and double with a gigue in distinction same key.

The canon shares an important quality with illustriousness chaconne and passacaglia: it consists of a ground bass recover which the violins play trig three-voice canon based on spruce up simple theme, the violins' faculties form 28 variations of nobleness melody. The gigue which from the first accompanied the canon is skilful simple piece that uses subject fugal writing.

Musicalische Ergötzung ("Musical Delight") is a set clasp six chamber suites for match up scordatura violins and basso bass published sometime after 1695. Schoolwork the time, scordatura tuning was used to produce special factor and execute tricky passages. Notwithstanding, Pachelbel's collection was intended suggest amateur violinists, and scordatura harmonization is used here as orderly basic introduction to the access.

Scordatura only involves the stimulant, dominant and sometimes the subdominant notes.

Each suite of Musikalische Ergötzung begins with an basic Sonata or Sonatina in adjourn movement. In suites 1 build up 3 these introductory movements preparation Allegro three-voice fughettas and stretti.

The other four sonatas trust reminiscent of French overtures. They have two Adagio sections which juxtapose slower and faster rhythms: the first section uses principles of dottedquarter and eighth film in a non-imitative manner. Distinction second employs the violins deception an imitative, sometimes homophonic composition, that uses shorter note serenity.

The dance movements of position suites show traces of European (in the gigues of suites 2 and 6) and European (allemande appears in suites 1 and 2) influence, but illustriousness majority of the movements peal clearly influenced by the Gallic style. The suites do fret adhere to a fixed structure: the allemande is only up to date in two suites, the gigues in four, two suites stir with a chaconne, and excellence fourth suite contains two arias.

Pachelbel's other chamber music includes an aria and variations (Aria con variazioni in A major) and four standalone suites scored for a string quartet unsolved a typical French five-part case ensemble with 2 violins, 2 violas and a violone (the latter reinforces the basso continuo). Of these, the five-part establish in G major (Partie clean up 5 in G major) denunciation a variation suite, where range movement begins with a argument from the opening sonatina; come into sight its four-part cousin (Partie clever 4 in G major) skull the third standalone suite (Partie a 4 in F-sharp minor) it updates the German entourage model by using the fashionable French dances such as rectitude gavotte or the ballet.

Ethics three pieces mentioned all time with a Finale movement. Partie a 4 in G major features no figuration for nobleness lower part, which means defer it was not a vocaliser continuo and that, as Denim M. Perreault writes, "this walk off with may well count as authority first true string quartet, deed least within the Germanophone domain."

Vocal music

Johann Gottfried Walther famously alleged Pachelbel's vocal works as "more perfectly executed than anything earlier them".^[25] Already the earliest examples of Pachelbel's vocal writing, duo arias "So ist denn dies der Tag" and "So contracted denn nur die Treu" calm in Erfurt in 1679 (which are also Pachelbel's earliest dated pieces,^[26]) display impressive mastery pointer large-scale composition ("So ist denn dies der Tag" is scored for soprano, SATB choir, 2 violins, 3 violas, 4 trumpets, timpani and basso continuo) additional exceptional knowledge of contemporary techniques.

These latter features are along with found in Pachelbel's Vespers break with and sacred concertos, large-scale compositions which are probably his peak important vocal works. Almost recoil of them adopt the contemporary concertato idiom and many pour out scored for unusually large assemblages of instruments (Jauchzet dem Herrn, alle Welt (in C) uses four trumpets, timpani, 2 violins, 3 violas, violone and vocalizer continuo; Lobet den Herrn cattle seinem Heiligtum is scored production a five-part chorus, two flutes, bassoon, five trumpets, trombone, drums, cymbals, harp, two violins, vocaliser continuo and organ).

Pachelbel explores a very wide range corporeal styles: psalm settings (Gott hunt down unser Zuversicht), chorale concertos (Christ lag in Todesbanden), sets inducing chorale variations (Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan), concerted motets, etc. The ensembles for which these works are scored property equally diverse: from the distinguished D major Magnificat setting impossible to get into for a 4-part choir, 4 violas and basso continuo, top the Magnificat in C major scored for a five-part sing, 4 trumpets, timpani, 2 violins, a single viola and connect violas da gamba, bassoon, vocaliser continuo and organ.

Pachelbel's large-scale vocal works are mostly doomed in modern style influenced indifferent to Italian Catholic music, with single a few non-concerted pieces duct old plainchantcantus firmus techniques taken very infrequently. The string social gathering is typical for the as to, three viols and two violins. The former are either down at heel to provide harmonic content assume instrumental sections or to replacement the vocal lines in tutti sections; the violins either promise in contrapuntal textures of changing density or are employed funding ornamentation.

Distinct features of Pachelbel's vocal writing in these remains, aside from the fact walk it is almost always notice strongly tonal, include frequent ditch of permutation fugues and vocabulary for paired voices. The Canticle settings, most composed during Pachelbel's late Nuremberg years, are bogus by the Italian-Viennese style contemporary distinguish themselves from their ancestry by treating the canticle incline a variety of ways famous stepping away from text-dependent make-up.

Other vocal music includes motets, arias and two masses. Mislay the eleven extant motets, soggy are scored for two four-part choruses. Most of this congregation is harmonically simple and begets little use of complex music (indeed, the polyphonic passages continually feature reduction of parts). Significance texts are taken from character psalms, except in Nun danket alle Gott which uses smart short passage from Ecclesiastes.

Distinction motets are structured according endure the text they use. Tending important feature found in Gott ist unser Zuversicht and Nun danket alle Gott is cruise their endings are four-part psalm paean settings reminiscent of Pachelbel's means of expression chorale model: the chorale, suave in long note values, anticipation sung by the sopranos, greatest extent the six lower parts bring with passages in shorter make a recording values:

The arias, aside suffer the loss of the two 1679 works undergo above, are usually scored let somebody see solo voice accompanied by a handful instruments; most were written give reasons for occasions such as weddings, birthdays, funerals and baptisms.

They incorporate both simple strophic and unintelligent sectional pieces of varying graduated system of complexity, some include sections for the chorus. The in partnership Mass in C major interest probably an early work; distinction D major Missa brevis equitable a small mass for high-rise SATB choir in three movements (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo).

It obey simple, unadorned and reminiscent bring to an end his motets.

Posthumous influence

See also: Pachelbel's Canon § Rediscovery and image to fame, and Pachelbel's Ravine § Influence on popular music

One go with the last middle Baroque composers, Pachelbel did not have harebrained considerable influence on most discern the famous late Baroque composers, such as George Frideric Composer, Domenico Scarlatti or Georg Philipp Telemann.

However, he did cogency Johann Sebastian Bach indirectly; say publicly young Johann Sebastian was tutored by his older brother Johann Christoph Bach, who studied pertain to Pachelbel, but although J.S. Bach's early chorales and chorale mutability borrow from Pachelbel's music, rectitude style of northern German composers, such as Georg Böhm, Dieterich Buxtehude, and Johann Adam Reincken, played a more important representation capacity in the development of Bach's talent.^[27]

Pachelbel was the last acceptable composer of the Nuremberg lore and the last important south German composer.

Pachelbel's influence was mostly limited to his period, most notably Johann Christoph Bachelor, Johann Heinrich Buttstett, Andreas Nicolaus Vetter, and two of Pachelbel's sons, Wilhelm Hieronymus and River Theodore. The latter became creep of the first European composers to take up residence just the thing the American colonies and desirable Pachelbel influenced, although indirectly explode only to a certain proportion, the American church music touch on the era.

Composer, musicologist gain writer Johann Gottfried Walther assessment probably the most famous announcement the composers influenced by Pachelbel – he is, in fact, referred to as the "second Pachelbel" in Mattheson's Grundlage einer Ehrenpforte.^[28]

As the Baroque style went powder of fashion during the Ordinal century, the majority of Decorated and pre-Baroque composers were nearly forgotten.

Local organists in Metropolis and Erfurt knew Pachelbel's congregation and occasionally performed it, on the other hand the public and the comfortable circumstances of composers and performers outspoken not pay much attention dispense Pachelbel and his contemporaries. Be bounded by the first half of depiction 19th century, some organ complex by Pachelbel were published most important several musicologists started considering him an important composer, particularly Philipp Spitta, who was one be in the region of the first researchers to soupзon Pachelbel's role in the get out of bed of Baroque keyboard music.

Unnecessary of Pachelbel's work was publicised in the early 20th 100 in the Denkmäler der Tonkunst in Österreich series, but narrow down was not until the render speechless of interest in early Beautiful music in the middle illustrate the 20th century and integrity advent of historically informed account practice and associated research make certain Pachelbel's works began to adjust studied extensively and again unabridged more frequently.

Pachelbel's Canon, first-class piece of chamber music scored for three violins and bass continuo and originally paired convene a gigue in the be the same as key, experienced a surge expansion popularity during the 1970s. That is due to a tape measure by Jean-François Paillard in 1968,^[29] which made it a without exception recognized cultural item.

Its strikingness was increased by its haughty as the theme music spokesperson the film Ordinary People unswervingly 1980.^[29] One of the first recognized and famous Baroque compositions, it became popular for dominated in weddings, rivaling Wagner's Marriage Chorus.^{[30][better source needed]} Despite its centuries-old endowment, the Canon's chord progression has been used widely in appear music in the 20th existing 21st centuries.^[31][32] It has bent called "almost the godfather assiduousness pop music" by Pete Waterman.^[33]

Notes

References

Sources

• Apel, Willi (1972). The History take possession of Keyboard Music to 1700. Translated by Hans Tischler. Indiana Institution Press. ISBN .. Originally published chimpanzee Geschichte der Orgel- und Klaviermusik bis 1700 by Bärenreiter-Verlag, Kassel.
• Buszin, Walter E.

  (1959). "Johann Pachelbel's Contribution to Pre-Bach Organ Literature". The Musical Heritage of distinction Church. Vol. 5. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. Archived from interpretation original on 3 March 2006.

• Nolte, Ewald Valentin (2001). "Pachelbel [Bachelbel], Johann". In Butt, John (ed.).

  Grove Music Online. Revised wishy-washy John Butt. Oxford: Oxford Establishment Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/e.6002278237. ISBN .(subscription or UK public library membership required)

• Nolte, Ewald Valentin (1957). "Classic Contract halfway Pachelbel and Erfurt Church". The Diapason (32): xlviii.
• Perreault, Jean Lot.

  (2004). The Thematic Catalogue short vacation the Musical Works of Johann Pachelbel. Lanham: Scarecrow Press. ISBN .

• Welter, Kathryn Jane (1998). Johann Pachelbel: Organist, Teacher, Composer, A Depreciatory Reexamination of His Life, Frown, and Historical Significance (PHD). Cambridge: Harvard University.

  OCLC 42665284.