Johann Pachelbel (~1653 - 1706) was a German composer
known for his works for organ and one of the great
organ masters of the generation before J.S. Bach.
Pachelbel studied voice at Altdorf and Stevenensburg
and held posts as organist in Vienna, Stuttgart, and
other cities. In 1695 he was appointed organist at the
St. Sebalduskirche in Nürnberg, where he remained
until his death. He also taught organ, and one of his
pupils was Johann Christoph Bach, who in turn gave his
younger brother...(+)
Johann Pachelbel (~1653 - 1706) was a German composer
known for his works for organ and one of the great
organ masters of the generation before J.S. Bach.
Pachelbel studied voice at Altdorf and Stevenensburg
and held posts as organist in Vienna, Stuttgart, and
other cities. In 1695 he was appointed organist at the
St. Sebalduskirche in Nürnberg, where he remained
until his death. He also taught organ, and one of his
pupils was Johann Christoph Bach, who in turn gave his
younger brother Johann Sebastian Bach his first formal
keyboard lessons.
All Pachelbel's work is in a contrapuntally simple
style. His own organ compositions show a knowledge of
Italian forms derived from Frescobaldi through J.J.
Froberger. Of special importance are his chorale
preludes, which did much to establish the chorale
melodies of Protestant northern Germany in the more
lyrical musical atmosphere of the Catholic south. His
popular Canon in D Major was written for three violins
and continuo and was published with a gigue in the same
key. His son, Wilhelm Hieronymous Pachelbel, was also
an organist and composer.
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