Pachelbel Canon
Wedding ceremony staple
A Baroque composition by German composer Johann Pachelbel, properly titled "Canon in D Major." The piece features a repeating bass line over which three violins play increasingly elaborate variations.
Though obscure for centuries, it became ubiquitous in the late twentieth century at weddings and in popular culture: The string quartet played Pachelbel Canon as the bride walked down the aisle.
Musicians sometimes grumble about its overexposure, particularly cellists condemned to repeat the same eight notes.
- baroqueExcessively ornate or elaborate
- baroque musicHighly embellished musical style
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- wedding marchCeremonial aisle music
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
violin · strings · string quartet · cello · chord · progression · four-part harmony · bridal · ceremony · harpsichord · chamber · chamber orchestra · repetition · bass · processional · melody · Johann · aisle
Pachelbel CanonDies Irae
Requiem Mass sequence
Black Sabbath · death metal · noise music · industrial music
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