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PACHELBEL – Canon in D Major – STRING QUARTET

Other Identification:
Pachelbel’s Canon, also known as “Canon in D,” is a famous Baroque piece by German composer Johann Pachelbel, composed probably around 1680–1690. Its structure is a canon, or round, with a repeating bass line that forms a foundation for the evolving violin melodies. The piece has become extremely popular over time, often played at weddings, and has influenced numerous pop songs due to its memorable chord progression.

Neither the date nor the circumstances of its composition are known (suggested dates widely range from 1680 to 1706), and the oldest surviving manuscript copy of the piece dates from 1838 to 1842.

Movements or sections:
The canon was originally scored for three violins and basso continuo and paired with a gigue, known as Canon and Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo. Both movements are in the key of D major. The piece is constructed as a true canon at the unison in three parts, with a fourth part as a ground bass throughout.

Instrumentation: QUARTET OF TWO VIOLINS, VIOLA AND CELLO
(the original was for three violins and bass)
Present editor unknown

All the music (individual parts, no score) is contained in 1 PDF.

Approximate difficulty: MEDIUM (medium to difficult)

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