Pachelbel's Canon in D: Variations

Pachelbel's Canon, also known as Canon in D Major  (PWC 37, T. 337, PC 358), is the most famous piece of music by German Baroque  composer Johann Pachelbel. Originally scored for three violins  and basso continuo, it was often paired with a Pachelbel gigue in the same key.

Like most other works by Pachelbel and other pre-1700 composers, the Canon remained forgotten for centuries. It was rediscovered only in the twentieth century, and was first published in 1919.  Decades later, the piece became extremely popular , and today it is frequently played at weddings.

Johann Pachelbel (1653 - 1706) was a German organist and one of the leading composers of his time. Interestingly, one of his many students was Johann Christoph Bach, the elder brother and teacher of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Four Versions

1) My Sassy Girl

Canon in C My Sassy Girl Theme

2) David Lanz Improvisation on a Theme

• Part One Slow

• Part Two  Slow

• At tempo (removed after 2,945 views by youtube for copyright infringement). Waste!

• At tempo (filed copyright dispute, was okayed)

Piano-pal found no match for Lanz version

3) George Winston Variations on the Kanon

• Half Tempo

• At Tempo

• Slowest

Variations on the Kanon – George Winston – someone else claimed this transcription as his own. But  this Winston score is available in a book and in digital. Here are the links

• Book (Try a GoogleImage search)

• Download 

4)  Lee Galloway Canon in D Variation Tutorial

Canon Fantasy – Lee Galloway Sheetmusic

• Try a GoogleImage search

5) Other arrangements were requested, but Jane has had enough of this  :)

Other Pachelbel Works:

Suite in A flat major P. 444    Aria