Pachelbel, Johann (1653–1706)

German organist and composer. Due to the great popularity of his Canon and Gigue in D major for three violins and continuo, he is today known to many people only by this work. However, he was a leading progressive composer of keyboard and religious works, influencing Johann Sebastian Bach.

He studied under Heinrich Schwemmer at home and, after holding brief appointments at Altdorf and Regensburg, went to Vienna in about 1671–72. Between 1677 and 1695 he was organist successively at Eisenach, Erfurt, Stuttgart, and Gotha, and in 1695 was appointed organist at St Sebaldus' Church at Nuremberg. He was one of the most important composers before J S Bach.

Works Church music, vocal, and choral vocal music, arias, motets, sacred concertos (cantatas), 11 Magnificat settings, 94 organ fugues on the Magnificat, organ variations and preludes on chorales.

Other suites for two violins, Canon and Gigue for three violins, Musikalisches Ergötzen, six sets of variations for harpsichord Hexachordum Apollinis (1699).