Pachelbel Canon in D for Violin Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment

Edition Peters

Pachelbel Canon in D for Violin Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment 

Piano Level: Intermediate 

"Pachelbel Canon in D for Violin with Piano Accompaniment" is a beautifully arranged version of Johann Pachelbel's most famous composition, tailored for violinists and pianists at an intermediate level. Pachelbel, renowned for his organ works and Lutheran church music, created a timeless piece in his Canon in D, which has become one of the most celebrated works in the classical repertoire.

This arrangement maintains the essence of Pachelbel's original composition, which features a canon—where a melody in one part is strictly imitated by others—and a ground bass, a repeated short bass line over which variations are written. In its original form, the Canon consists of an eight-note ground bass followed by 27 variations in strict canonic style for three violins, with harmonic support traditionally improvised on instruments like the harpsichord, lute, or organ.

To make this piece more accessible, the note values in this arrangement have been doubled for easier reading, and the canonic structure has been slightly modified for playability. Additionally, dynamics, bowing indications, articulations, slurs, and metronome markings have been added, along with a few cadential trills. These editorial suggestions aim to enhance the performance experience but are not obligatory, allowing musicians to interpret the piece as they see fit.

This arrangement offers an excellent opportunity for intermediate-level violinists and pianists to explore and perform a beloved Baroque masterpiece in a format that is approachable and musically rewarding.