The Canon by Bach - Why Is It So Popular?

 

One of the most recognisable pieces of classical music. A firm favourite for wedding ceremonies and an iconic harmony which is incorporated into countless pop songs, films and adverts. It's almost impossible to imagine a time when it wasn’t such a ubiquitous piece of music.

But despite the fact that almost everybody knows it, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding Pachelbel's most famous composition. For example, it's not known why he wrote it or what prompted him to create this beautiful musical work that has endured for centuries. There are some unsubstantiated claims that the Canon was written for Bach's brother Johann Christoph's wedding on 23 October 1694, but if that's true it would probably have been one of many musical pieces Pachelbel composed for such events.

It’s also not entirely clear why the Canon has become such a popular piece of music, especially when compared to Pachelbel’s other musical compositions. He was a prolific composer who had 13 settings of the Magnificat, 78 chorale preludes and numerous other works to his name.

According to music scholar Sheldon Clark, the Canon rose to popularity in the late 1960s when an orchestra recorded it with a slower tempo. Canon de pachelbel This version infused a more prominent romantic tone and it became an instant hit. The Canon’s popularity snowballed throughout the 1970s as various orchestras recorded it frequently and it even made its way into pop songs and advertisements.

In the 1980s, it reached new heights of popularity when it was used as the opening track to the Academy Award winning film Ordinary People, starring Tim Robbins, Mary Tyler Moore and Donald Sutherland. This heightened the public’s awareness of baroque composers, such as Pachelbel.

There are a few reasons why the Canon is so well-known. For one, it’s a fairly easy composition to play. The harmonies are simple and the rhythm is easy to follow, which makes it accessible to a wide range of instruments and musicians. Furthermore, the Canon is a good choice for weddings because it has a gentle and calming sound that can help set the mood for the occasion.

Another reason why the Canon is so popular is that it has elements of a musical form called a Chaconne, which was kind of like the Baroque equivalent of a 12 bar blues. This style of song has a ground bass pattern that the melody instruments jam over and then create variations on. Pachelbel was clever enough to combine these two styles into a piece of music that is truly magical and timeless.

The Canon is a piece of music that has stood the test of time, and its longevity is due to its unique and captivating sound. The enchanting harmonies and melodies are a testament to its beauty and charm. The CANACANA Family have captured this magic in their stunning rendition of the Canon, reimagining it with their exceptional talent and skill and delivering a mesmerizing performance that is sure to leave listeners spellbound.