Pachelbel - Canon in D Major (Original Version)

JOHANN PACHELBEL (1653-1706)

Canon and Gigue for three violins and basso continuo in D major

1. Canon

2. Gigue

Performed by Hesperion XXI
Directed by Jordi Savall

*Those of you who have never listened to a period instrument performance of Pachelbel's famous (or for cellists, infamous) canon in D major may be surprised by the rather sprightly tempo of this interpretation. This is because the version we know of today was popularized by Jean-François Paillards recording made in 1970. This performance is very much in the romantic style, which is rather unfitting considering piece written in the middle Baroque. The original score of the piece has no tempo indication for the canon, however the time-signature, the notation of the piece, and the playing style and methodology of Pachelbel and the Baroque era does not suggest that the piece should played at the characteristically romantic "largo molto" tempo most people are used to today. The musicians of Hesperion XXI, known for their authentic, highly informed, and frankly beautiful performances do not try to sound different and stylish, but rather attempt to perform the piece the way Pachelbel himself would have intended it to be performed back in the 1680s on instruments he himself would have been familiar with.

**The chord sequence (I V vi iii IV I ii V7) in this canon is one of the most popular chordal progressions in western music. As well as being found in various classical music pieces, this sequence can also be found in modern pop and rock music. Some examples are the Beatles' "Let it Be" and Vitamin C'c "Graduation" (which uses the exact same chordal progression as Pachelbel's canon).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• baroque
• pachelbel
• canon
• gigue
• kanon
• und

[MateusVIII]

@sammmmmy195 *facepalm*

[sammmmmy195]

original version? Wow, I didn't know their recording equipment was this good in the 1700s!

[theoxusriver]

@sammmmmy195 calm down, the note arrangement in more recent version has been intentionally (and for good) tampered with.

[EdMcF1]

Pachelbel's genius: one tune, a lament slow, a dance fast, always magnificent.

[padaneis]

Excellent performance! ....and long live Catalonia, Jordi Savall's country.

[MarcusSchmalzlockus]

Ich finde diese Version zu schnell.

[d4m4s74]

This is the first time I hear it in the original speed. And I have to say, the slow one I like more in remixes, but with a classical orchestra this sounds way better.

[brendanratchford]

Yes! Finally a cut above. Played at the correct tempo and style, as it should be. So sick of the wedding style junk!

[megatfreak]

Finally a group who plays this song at the correct speed! Gotta love Jordi Savall.

[thatreallygeekyguy]

It seems to fast to me :/

[ChaosFranco]

@slugger1983 Im agree with you, i prefer the slowest one, more emotion like you said, the one that i found have 11 minuts and change the speedo, starts slow, then get a little bit faster, and continue like that, and then come back to be slow, i like it :P

[slugger1983]

@ChaosFranco Yeah, I found it already. The slowest version is the best in my opinion. It's more raw when it's slow, more emotion. When it's played faster like most of the versions you see, it totally changes the dynamic of the piece. It literally feels like a wedding, where the slower one, I can't explain it.