"Canon in D Major P37" by Johann Pachelbel.

OK, boys and girls, let's go WAY back: A Nuremberg organist and religious music composer penned this mid-Baroque classic c.1680. Originally scored for three violins and basso continuo. Its musical structure features two instruments or lines copying each other and he paired it with a gigue, a lively English baroque dance. Some believe that it was composed for one of J.S.Bach's sons wedding, which he attended. The elder Bach was one of his pupils. The piece was virtually forgotten until 1968, when it was rediscovered by a French orchestra conductor. Its apparent simplicity makes it appealing to the ear - repeated bass line with interwoven melodies growing in complexity. The religious connection has made it extremely popular in weddings during the bride's entrance and, on occasion, in funerals. It has inspired numerous popular songs. Its mass appeal grew exponentially when it became the theme for the 1980 hit movie "Ordinary People". Also used by Carl Sagan on his PBS series "Cosmos". Musical piece? Composer? Answer: "Canon in D Major P37" by Johann Pachelbel. When we got married in '77 we were not given a choice regarding the wedding music. The Pastor "picked" for us Pachelbel's "Canon" for the processional and Clarke's "Trumpet Voluntary" for the recessional - not bad choices! Among the many popular songs inspired by "Canon" my favorite has to be "Hook" by Blues Traveler - same chord progression but transposed to A major. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptk_1Dc2iPY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdz5kCaCRFM

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