Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of own our age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world, exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements.

Donald begins the week with music that clearly shows why Pachelbel was so venerated by JS Bach and his peers - with joyful, singing vocal lines and highly-crafted harmonies.

Canon & Gigue in D

Gli incogniti

Singet dem Herrn

Cantus C怀lln

Konrad Jungh䀀nel, conductor

Gott ist unser Zuversicht

Suite in G Major

Hexachordum Apollinis: Aria Prima in E Minor (Dorian)

Wolfgang Rübsam (lute harpsichord)

Cantata: Christ lag in Todesbanden

Claire Lefilli tre, soprano

Hans J怀rg Mammel, tenor

David van Bouwel, organ

Namur Chamber Choir

Les Agr退mens

Jean Tub退ry, conductor

Pachelbel, arr Isao Tomita - Canon in D

Isao Tomita, synthesiser.

Unravelling the rich legacy of a composer best known for one work, the Canon in D.

Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the 'Canon in D'.

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of own our age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world, exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements.

Donald begins the week with music that clearly shows why Pachelbel was so venerated by JS Bach and his peers - with joyful, singing vocal lines and highly-crafted harmonies.

Canon & Gigue in D

Gli incogniti

Singet dem Herrn

Cantus C怀lln

Konrad Jungh䀀nel, conductor

Gott ist unser Zuversicht

Suite in G Major

Hexachordum Apollinis: Aria Prima in E Minor (Dorian)

Wolfgang Rübsam (lute harpsichord)

Cantata: Christ lag in Todesbanden

Claire Lefilli tre, soprano

Hans J怀rg Mammel, tenor

David van Bouwel, organ

Namur Chamber Choir

Les Agr退mens

Jean Tub退ry, conductor

Pachelbel, arr Isao Tomita - Canon in D

Isao Tomita, synthesiser.

Unravelling the rich legacy of a composer best known for one work, the Canon in D.

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world; exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements.

In today's episode we track the young Pachelbel to Erfurt, where Martin Luther once studied. Alongside a brilliant setting of the Magnificat, Donald tells the curious story of how a 20th-century Frenchman with a knack for marketing turned the Canon into the popular hit we know today...

Exsurgat Deus

Cantus C怀lln

Konrad Jungh䀀nel, conductor

Musikalische Erg怀tzung in F Major

London Baroque

Charles Medlam, director

Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne in D Minor

Werner Jacob, organ

Suite for lute solo (1st mvt - Allemande)

Ulrich Wedemeier, lute

Magnificat anima mea

Johann Rosenmüller Ensemble

Arno Paduch, conductor

Pachelbel, arr Jean-Francois Paillard

Jean-Francois Paillard Chamber Orchestra.

Donald Macleod explores Johann Pachelbel's colourful life in Erfurt.

Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the 'Canon in D'. Today - the composer's colourful life in Erfurt.

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world; exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements.

In today's episode we track the young Pachelbel to Erfurt, where Martin Luther once studied. Alongside a brilliant setting of the Magnificat, Donald tells the curious story of how a 20th-century Frenchman with a knack for marketing turned the Canon into the popular hit we know today...

Exsurgat Deus

Cantus C怀lln

Konrad Jungh䀀nel, conductor

Musikalische Erg怀tzung in F Major

London Baroque

Charles Medlam, director

Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne in D Minor

Werner Jacob, organ

Suite for lute solo (1st mvt - Allemande)

Ulrich Wedemeier, lute

Magnificat anima mea

Johann Rosenmüller Ensemble

Arno Paduch, conductor

Pachelbel, arr Jean-Francois Paillard

Jean-Francois Paillard Chamber Orchestra.

Donald Macleod explores Johann Pachelbel's colourful life in Erfurt.

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world - exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works, and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements.

In today's episode Donald Macleod explores how the composer expressed in music his deep grief at the loss of his first wife and infant son in his unique collection 'Musical Thoughts On Death'. Plus, as he continues his journey through the diverse arrangements of the famous Canon - there's a curious connection to the world of 1990s 'Madchester' dance music, and American West Coast hip-hop...

Hooton / Grimes (after Pachelbel): Altogether Now

The Farm

Jauchzet Gott, alle Lande

Cantus C怀lln

Konrad Jungh䀀nel, conductor

Alle Menschen mussen sterben (Musicalische Sterbens-Gedancken)

Anton Batagov, piano

Wie nichtig? Ach, wie fluchtig!

Hans-J怀rg Mammel, tenor

Gli incogniti

Von Himmel Hoch I; Meine Seele erhebet den Herren; Wie sch怀n leuchtet der Morgenstern

Werner Jacob, organ

Suite a 4 in F Sharp Minor

London Baroque

Charles Medlam, director

Pachelbel / Ivey Jr / Aldridge / Straughter / Straughter: C U When U Get There

Coolio, featuring 40 Thevz

Donald Macleod explores how Johann Pachelbel expressed his deep grief in music.

Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the 'Canon in D'. Today - the story of a period of deep grief for the composer...and Pachelbel's curious link to both dance music and hip-hop..

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world - exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works, and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements.

In today's episode Donald Macleod explores how the composer expressed in music his deep grief at the loss of his first wife and infant son in his unique collection 'Musical Thoughts On Death'. Plus, as he continues his journey through the diverse arrangements of the famous Canon - there's a curious connection to the world of 1990s 'Madchester' dance music, and American West Coast hip-hop...

Hooton / Grimes (after Pachelbel): Altogether Now

The Farm

Jauchzet Gott, alle Lande

Cantus C怀lln

Konrad Jungh䀀nel, conductor

Alle Menschen mussen sterben (Musicalische Sterbens-Gedancken)

Anton Batagov, piano

Wie nichtig? Ach, wie fluchtig!

Hans-J怀rg Mammel, tenor

Gli incogniti

Von Himmel Hoch I; Meine Seele erhebet den Herren; Wie sch怀n leuchtet der Morgenstern

Werner Jacob, organ

Suite a 4 in F Sharp Minor

London Baroque

Charles Medlam, director

Pachelbel / Ivey Jr / Aldridge / Straughter / Straughter: C U When U Get There

Coolio, featuring 40 Thevz

Donald Macleod explores how Johann Pachelbel expressed his deep grief in music.

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world; exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements.

A selection of brilliant secular songs take us to Nuremberg - and Pachelbel's dream job, back home at the console of the organ at St Sebaldus's Church.

Das Gewitter im Aprilen

Hans-J怀rg Mammel, tenor

Gli incogniti

Amandine Beyer, director / violin

Musikalische Erg怀tzung in B Major

London Baroque

Charles Medlam, director

O grosses Musienlicht

Keyboard Suite no.29 in E Minor

Joseph Payne, harpsichord

Gute Walther unser Raths

George Rochberg

Variations on Pachelbel's Canon (String Quartet no.6, 3rd mvt)

Concord String Quartet

Chaconne in F Minor

Barbara Harbach, organ

Mein Leben, dessen Creuz für mich

Amandine Beyer, director / violin.

Donald Macleod follows Johann Pachelbel home to Nuremberg, where his dream job awaits.

Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the 'Canon in D'. Today - after a peripatetic life in Stuttgart and Gotha, Pachelbel finally comes home to Nuremberg.

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world; exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements.

A selection of brilliant secular songs take us to Nuremberg - and Pachelbel's dream job, back home at the console of the organ at St Sebaldus's Church.

Das Gewitter im Aprilen

Hans-J怀rg Mammel, tenor

Gli incogniti

Amandine Beyer, director / violin

Musikalische Erg怀tzung in B Major

London Baroque

Charles Medlam, director

O grosses Musienlicht

Keyboard Suite no.29 in E Minor

Joseph Payne, harpsichord

Gute Walther unser Raths

George Rochberg

Variations on Pachelbel's Canon (String Quartet no.6, 3rd mvt)

Concord String Quartet

Chaconne in F Minor

Barbara Harbach, organ

Mein Leben, dessen Creuz für mich

Amandine Beyer, director / violin.

Donald Macleod follows Johann Pachelbel home to Nuremberg, where his dream job awaits.

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world; exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements.

As he completes his journey through the life and work of this neglected genius of the early Baroque, Donald Macleod wonders why his music - the Canon aside - faded, and introduces a Magnificat setting that demonstrates how foolish posterity has been. We end with a final, brilliant take on the Canon in D by Japanese jazz iconoclast Hiromi.

Lobet den Herrn (Psalm 150)

Johann Rosenmüller Ensemble

Arno Paduch, conductor

Aria Sebaldina in F Minor (Hexachordum Apollinis)

Werner Jacob, organ

Magnificat in C Major [originally E Flat Major], P250

The King's Singers

Charivari Agr退able

Kah-Ming Ng, director

Hiromi, after Pachelbel

Pachelbel's Canon

Hiromi, piano.

Donald Macleod asks why the music of baroque genius Johann Pachelbel has been so neglected