Johann Pachelbel
German Baroque composer, organist, and teacher renowned for his influential sacred music and the Canon in D.
Born in Nuremberg, Pachelbel held organist positions in Vienna, Eisenach, Erfurt, Stuttgart, and Gotha before returning to his hometown. He composed over 500 works, primarily church music and keyboard pieces. Though largely forgotten after his death, his Canon in D gained global popularity in the 20th century.
- Pachelbel's Canon was virtually unknown for centuries until 1968, when French conductor Jean-François Paillard made a popular recording that sparked worldwide recognition.
- He was a close friend of the Bach family and taught Johann Christoph Bach (older brother of J.S. Bach), influencing the musical education of the legendary composer.
- Despite his prolific output, Pachelbel died in relative obscurity at age 52; the exact cause remains undocumented in historical records.
- His first wife and their infant son died during the plague in 1683, after which he remarried and had seven children with his second wife.
