Pachelbel’s Canon is one of the most popular pieces of wedding music, and possibly one of the most recognizable pieces of music today. Written by German composer Johann Pachelbel nearly 300 years ago, the music has gone through much history to reach to it’s present infamy.
Question: What does “canon” refer to?
A Canon (or Kanon) is a piece of music characterized by repetition. First one instrument or vocal introduces a part of the melody. Then, after a number of tones, a second instrument or vocal starts to repeat, or imitate, the first melody, playing the exact same tones, but with a time delay. More instruments or vocals may then be added, depending on the composer’s wishes. – definition found on PachelbelCanon.com
Facts about Pachelbel’s Canon:
- Neither the date nor the circumstances of its composition are known (suggested dates range from 1680 to 1706), and the oldest surviving manuscript copy of the piece dates from the 19th century.
- The Canon’s popularity strengthened in the 1970s, after French conductor Jean-François Paillard made a recording.
- The piece’s popularity dramatically boosted in the 1980s due to it’s the movie “Ordinary People.”
- The progression chords of Pachelbel’s Canon can be found in many modern songs such as “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance, “Sk8ter Boy” by Avril Lavigne, “Let it Be” by The Beatles, “No woman, No cry” by Bob Marley, and many others.
- Tons of movies have played the music in various scenes (mostly weddings!). Here is just a short list: The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, The Thin Red Line, Reno 911: Miami, Zoolander, Runaway Bride, Sing, and Father of the Bride.
- Pachelbel Canon is just one out of 500 pieces over his lifetime written in Johann Pachelbel’s lifetime.
