Johann Pachelbel And Canon example essay topic

460 words
At weddings, on commercials, and even on cell phone ring tones, Pachelbel's "Canon in D" is everywhere in today's world. Johann Pachelbel was born in Nuremberg, Germany, on September 1st, 1653, and died there on March 3rd, 1706. An organist and composer, he became one of the greatest organists in Germany. "Studying at the Universities of Altdorf and Ratisbon, Johann moved to Vienna in 1671 where he became a student and organist at the Imperial Chapel".

(Sojurn). "In addition to school, he had two music teachers, one who introduced him to the fundamentals of music while the other taught him to play and compose". (Johann) Though Pachelbel did not seem to have many influences, he certainly influenced others such as Johann Christoph "who, in turn, taught his younger brother, Sebastian Bach". (Mfiles) "Canon in D", one of Pachelbel's most popular composition, gained attention in 1980. It features the use of a ground bass that consists of eight notes that are repeated over and over throughout the piece.

Originally meant for three violins and a continuo, it is a complex work with bass accompaniment. The popularity of this piece may be because it contains a pattern that is repeated over and over like in most popular music. A Baroque piece, "it has been interpreted by many and can also be found in modern pop songs". (Johann Pachelbel) "Canon (or Kanon) is when a piece of music is imitated and repeated. First one instrument or vocal starts with a piece of the melody. Then after a number of tones, a second instrument or vocal starts to repeat, or imitate, the first one, playing the exact same tones, but with a time delay.

More instruments or vocals may fill in depending on the composer's wishes". (Johann) "Canon in D" stirs many emotions to those who hear it. Whether it is a joyful or sad feeling, "Canon" is like a pop song that can be put on repeat on a teenager's CD player. According to one webmaster whose love for the piece drove him to dedicate a whole website so that others may download the piece, I share his sentiments when he states, "It touches my soul and sends shivers down my spine.

And it still does, even though I've listened to it thousands of times". (Johann Pachelbel). Johann Pachelbel and Canon. Home page. 1 February 2003.9 April 2003.

Johann Pachelbel. Home page. Not stated. Johann Pachelbel. 9 April 2003. Mfiles.

Home page. 1999-2001. Mfiles. 9 April 2003. Sojurn.

Home page. 1996. Sojurn. 9 April 2003.