A favorite story of mine as told by a music professor is about how Pachabel’s (pronounce “pock uh bell”) Canon in D was relatively unknown until a music student found an original manuscript of the piece being used to wrap fish in a market in Austria. It’s not true, mind you. It does add romance to one of the greatest one-hit-wonders of classical music. You see, Pachabel might not otherwise be known as anything other than a teacher who instructed the young Johann Sebastian Bach if not for his Canon and Gigue in D major for three Violins and Basso Continuo (aka Canon in D).
It so happens that of all the one-hit-wonders of history, Pachabel was fortunate enough to write a song which is simple yet utterly emotive. So much so that Canon is found on nearly every wedding compilation and is a favorite of orchestras performing for laity and wanting to impress their great unwashed audiences after having them endure a decidedly not-so-thrilling fusilade of Vivaldi, Liszt and Verdi.
The thing that most people don’t realize about Canon is that it is a rondo, or a “round”. In other words, it’s no different than “Michael Row The Boat Ashore” or “Frere Jacque” that we used to all sing in elementary school. And like those rounds, the act of having different voices or instruments join in at an offset place in the melody brings about an entirely different tune in the finished product. Though having only eight notes spanning two measures, playing canon results in a strikingly complex, articulate and elegant piece with complex passages that - for lack of a better metaphor - caress and tickle the ear.
It’s no surprise then that guitarists have looked at Canon and made it the quintessential crossover piece to show off their virtuoso skills to the community of musicians which tend to look upon guitarists as - with some exception (Andre Segovia) - a bunch of ruffians ringing melody from tightly strung stick. And we can thank Jerry C for arranging Canon in such a way that Canon can be played - instead of four completely separate instruments - by a single guitarist. And to the delight of those of us raised on 1980’s big-hair heavy metal and guitar licks form people like Van Halen, Whitesnake, Metallica or Queensryche, there is “wahwah” to be had with this one.
The artist here is Lim Jeong Hyun, and you can download a higher quality MP3 version of the file from the Tigers and Cranes website.
Of course… you may not love Canon in D as much as I do. In that case, you might have some sympathy with this fellow…
Entries (RSS)