Pachelbel’s Canon

Pachelbel’s Canon is a work that needs no introduction. During his life, Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706) was a well-known German composer for organ and keyboard, writing church choral and chamber music. A canon is a type of composition whereby a melody is repeated by a different voice or instrument in the group after a certain delay, giving rise to layers of the same tune heard at different times. Pachelbel demonstrated this to beautiful effect. Pachelbel’s Canon was almost entirely unknown until it was recorded by Jean-François Paillard’s chamber orchestra in 1968, and has remained popular ever since, making appearances in pop culture and media, and of course, weddings. The arrangement performed in this video by Singapore-based Romanian composer-cellist Khachatur Khachatryan is based on this classic recording. Singapore Symphony Orchestra Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor Recorded live on 15 Dec 2022 at the Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore, during the Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Fundraising Concert.