Pachelbel’s Canon

Johann Pachelbel wrote a little tune in, or around, 1680 for three violins and a basso continuo. His Canon has become one of those iconic pieces of music that continues to be played today, either as originally scored, or in new and ever more outlandish arrangements.

 

We chose the version for orchestra and boy’s choir, performed by Libera, as one of the pieces of music to be played at my mother’s cremation. It worked perfectly for the occasion.

 

But the Canon has many guises. One that I’ve only just found out about is the hard rock version arranged and played by JerryC – a young Taiwanese guitarist. And even that has been trumped by the version played by funtwo – a young Korean.

 

Just watch the video of Pachelbel’s Canon played by funtwo – recorded in his bedroom, and viewed over 5 million times on the Internet. Ain’t human life amazing? Thank you Johann, JerryC and funtwo.

 

(hat tip to Tom Reynolds for bringing the video to my attention)