Pachelbel (arr. Johnston) - Canon and Gigue for Clarinet Quartet

Easily one of the most recognizable pieces of music in the world, surprisingly, little is known about Johann Pachelbel's famous Canon. It was probably popular around the time of its composition, but then fell out of favor until the middle of the 20th century. Only since the 1970s and 1980s has it become ubiquitous at weddings. In this arrangement for clarinet choir by Matt Johnston, the Canon is paired with a Gigue (as in the original version). Notably, each of the parts has something “interesting” to play, even the bass clarinet!

Instrumentation:

• 3 B-Flat Clarinets
• Bass Clarinet