Johann Pachelbel
Baptized in Nuremburg September 1, 1653
d. Nuremburg, March 3, 1706
Biography
The accomplished Baroque organist Johann Pachelbel was south German born,
but spent much of his career in middle Germany. He studied in Nuremburg,
Altdorf, and Regensburg before becoming the organist of St. Stephenıs
Cathedral Vienna, Austria, in 1674. By 1677 he returned to Germany as the
court organist at Eisench. A year later he obtained the organist post at the
Predigerkirche at Erfurt, remaining there for twelve years. He also served
in the courts at Stuttgart (1690), and Gothe (1692). He returned to his
hometown in 1695, as organist of St Sebald's.
Pachelbel wrote both free works (toccatas, fantasies, fugues, etc.) and
chorale settings. His development of the "cantus firmus" chorale is perhaps
his greatest contribution. It consists of the chorale melody in long notes,
one phrase at a time, each phrase preceded by fore-imitation in the
accompanying voices. This compositional pattern influenced many other
composers and eventually became a standard form.
Representative Works
- Hexachordum Apollinis (Contains: Six variation sets)
- Musicalische Sterbens-Gedancken (Contains: Four chorale partitas)
- Magnificat fugues
- Toccatas
- Fantasies
- Chorale preludes
- Suites
- Chaconnes