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The Meister of Erfurt

Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work, the Canon in D. Today, the composer's colourful life in Erfurt.

Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the "Canon in D". Today - the composer's colourful life in Erfurt.

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his "Canon in D", one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world; exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the "one-hit wonder". We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements.

In today's episode we track the young Pachelbel to Erfurt, where Martin Luther once studied. Alongside a brilliant setting of the Magnificat, Donald tells the curious story of how a 20th-century Frenchman with a knack for marketing turned the Canon into the popular hit we know today...

Exsurgat Deus
Cantus C枚lln
Konrad Jungh盲nel, conductor

Musikalische Erg枚tzung in F Major
London Baroque
Charles Medlam, director

Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne in D Minor
Werner Jacob, organ

Suite for lute solo (1st mvt - Allemande)
Ulrich Wedemeier, lute

Magnificat anima mea
Johann Rosenm眉ller Ensemble
Arno Paduch, conductor

Pachelbel, arr Jean-Francois Paillard
Canon in D
Jean-Francois Paillard Chamber Orchestra.

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Johann Pachelbel

    Exsurgat Deus

    Conductor: Konrad Jungh盲nel. Performer: Cantus C枚lln.
    • Deutsche Harmonia Mundi.
    • G010001717355S.
  • Johann Pachelbel

    Exsurgat Deus

    Ensemble: Cantus C枚lln. Conductor: Konrad Jungh盲nel.
    • Pachelbel & JC Bach, Motets.
    • Deutsche Harmonia Mundi.
    • 3.
  • Johann Pachelbel

    Musikalische Erg枚tzung in F Major

    Conductor: Charles Medlam. Performer: London Baroque.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • HMC-901539.
  • Johann Pachelbel

    Musikalische Erg枚tzung in F Major

    Ensemble: London Baroque. Conductor: Charles Medlam.
    • Pachelbel - Canon & Gigue - Chamber Works.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 2.
  • Johann Pachelbel

    Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne in D Minor

    Performer: Werner Jacob.
    • VIRGIN CLASSICS.
    • VC7910872.
  • Johann Pachelbel

    Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne in D Minor

    Performer: Werner Jacob.
    • Canon & Gigue / Chamber Works.
    • VIRGIN CLASSICS.
    • 1.
  • Johnann Pachelbel

    Suite for lute solo (1st movement - Allemande)

    Performer: Ulrich Wedemeier.
    • CHRISTOPHORUS.
    • CHR77257.
  • Johann Pachelbel

    Magnificat anima mea

    Conductor: Arno Paduch. Performer: Johann Rosenm眉ller Ensemble.
    • CHRISTOPHORUS.
    • CHR77257.
  • Johann Pachelbel

    Suite for lute solo (1st movement- Allemande)

    Performer: Ulrich Wedemeier.
    • CHRISTOPHORUS.
  • Johann Pachelbel

    Magnificat anima mea

    Ensemble: Johann Rosenm眉ller Ensemble. Conductor: Arno Paduch.
    • Pachelbel: Christ lag in Todesbanden / Lobet den Hern.
    • CHRISTOPHORUS.
    • 15.
  • Johann Pachelbel

    Canon in D

    Performer: Paillard Chamber Orchestra. Music Arranger: Jean鈥怓ran莽ois Paillard.
    • RCA RED SEAL.
    • 82876-55307.
  • Johann Pachelbel

    Canon in D Major

    Conductor: Jean鈥怓ran莽ois Paillard.
    • Pachelbel's Greatest Hit - The Ultimate Canon.
    • RCA RED SEAL.
    • 1.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 10 Apr 2018 12:00
  • Tue 15 Sep 2020 12:00

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