Versions of "Canon in D"

[alzado]

I would be interested in getting any comments on versions of the Pachelbel Canon in D, to include any interesting versions I have not seen.

Bear in mind that there is no original piano version since the original was written for orchestra.   So they are all transpositions or arrangements.

Here are some that I have, with a comment or two.

Canon in D, Arranged by Robert Schultz.  Warner Bros. Publishers.  Identified as "Advanced."  The most difficult version I now have, and my favorite.  Very faithful to the orchestral score.  Rather long at 9 rather full pages.

Canon in D, Masterpiece Edition.  Transcription by Alexander Cole.  Santorella Publishers.  Less difficult than Schultz's -- perhaps about Grade 5 or 6?  I tried playing this a few days ago, and I'm sorry to say I did not care much for it.  This is just personal preference, I suspect.  9 pages.  [Perhaps I should have stayed with this one longer-- maybe I didn't give it a fair chance.]

Canon in D, Variations on the Theme.  "Edited by Willard Palmer" but actually written by him.  This is not a real transcription.  Alfred Publishers.  Perhaps Grade 4?  (I'm guessing.)  I really did not like this one because it does NOT retain the beautiful melodies of the original.  It is all original variations by Palmer, but to my taste they are not up to the melodies of the original. [At times sound like scale studies or something.]

Canon, Arr. John W. Schaum.   I was unable to find my sheet music for this one in my mess, but I'm quite familiar with it.  Actually in the key of C.  Very easy and rather short.  Nice piece for about Grade 3, I would guess. Melodies are from Pachelbel's original.   Makes reference to a movie theme -- apparently the Canon was background music for a recent Hollywood film.  [?]  This doesn't surprise me.  Probably suited as a young student's recital piece or something.

Anyone have other editions or versions that they prefer? 

Given the length and challenge of the Schultz, I suspect I will be on this one for some time.

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

[alzado]

Sorry to come back one more time.

But I did some reading and the Canon in D is one section of Pachelbel's Partita in G Major.

It was originally written for 5 strings, three violin parts and two continuo.

I listened to a recording of a piano duet of this piece.  Now THAT would be interesting!

I am both surprised and pleased to discover I can play the Schultz transcription.  When I first looked at the music I had my doubts . . . . . .

[thalbergmad]

Have got a transcription br Ferrari.

Put it in your mailbox to see what you think.

[thierry13]

Have got a transcription br Ferrari.

Put it in your mailbox to see what you think.

Hahaha, a ferrari, the tempo must be 300 BPM... or even, BPS.

[JPRitchie]

"Canon in D" was used in the 1980 film "Ordinary People", directed by Robert Redford. Marvin Hamlisch was music director; earlier he won an Oscar for his adaptation of Soctt Joplin's stuff to "The Sting". (See: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081283/)

In addition to the sources already listed, there is a C.F. Peters urtext version edited by Gurgel of the "Canon and Gigue" for three violins and basso continuo. Urtext usually contains critical comments as well as an authentication trail. So, it might be of some interest even if it's not transcribed for piano.

Regards,
Jim

[Appenato]

Canon in D, Arr. by Marion Verhaalen: Hal Leonard edition. It's one of my favorite arrangements. It's short and sweet - only 3 pages long. I'd say it's early-mid intermediate level (not so good at defining a level for it...).

Canon in D Major: another Hal Leonard edition, but I'm not sure on the editor/arranger. It's in a book titled: "The Classical Wedding: 46 Classical Selections". It's the most advanced and challenging arrangement of the canon that I have. It's 6 pages long, I'd say late intermediate/early advanced. It's so repetitive that I don't play it hardly ever, and when I do it's only a quarter of it since I play it for the bridal processional. It's a good edition nonetheless if you'd like a full, challenging arrangement of the canon.

Variations on the Canon - arr. by George Winston: My favorite of all arrangements of the piece that I've played. I got the sheet music on some site for George Winston's sheet music. Apparently his stuff isn't in print (right?), so I lucked out on finding the site and getting the canon. It's about mid intermediate (anyone heard Winston's canon?). https://www.bmgmusic.com/catalog/product/cd_detail.jhtml?productId=26692 <~ check out the arrangement sound clip there... even though it doesn't begin to give a glimpse of what it really is. Great arrangement, though.

Canon in D: arr. by Michael Daly. I got this arrangement at https://www.dalymusic.com/ a few years ago. it's okay for what it is, but it's long - 8 pages. Early intermediate.. It's good for what it is, I guess.

Pachelbel Canon: Pop-Jazz Arrangement: arr. by Nancy Faber. I like this one cuz it's an easy jazz version - different style from the classical. it's one of my favorites, too. Great piece. The music is labeled "advanced".