Johann Pachelbel

c. 1653 – c. 1706

Johann Pachelbel was a German Baroque composer and organist, one of the most important figures of the middle Baroque south German organ school. A prolific composer of chorale preludes, fugues, and chamber music, he taught members of the Bach family and is best known today for his Canon in D. He ended his career as organist of St Sebaldus Church in his native Nuremberg.

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Life events

Born in Nuremberg
c. 1653

Johann Pachelbel was baptized in Nuremberg on 1 September 1653, the son of a wine dealer.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Studied at the University of Altdorf
1669

In 1669 Pachelbel enrolled at the University of Altdorf and served as organist of the Lorenzkirche there, but left within a year for lack of money.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became deputy organist at St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna
1673

By 1673 Pachelbel was working in Vienna as deputy organist at the Stephansdom, absorbing the south German and Italian Catholic musical styles.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Appointed court organist at Eisenach
1677

In 1677 Pachelbel became court organist in Eisenach under Kapellmeister Daniel Eberlin, where he befriended the family of Johann Ambrosius Bach.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Became organist of the Predigerkirche in Erfurt
June 1678

In 1678 Pachelbel took up the organist post at the Predigerkirche in Erfurt, where he remained twelve years and taught Johann Christoph Bach, elder brother and teacher of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Composed the Canon in D
c. 1680

Pachelbel's Canon and Gigue in D major, his most famous work today, is thought to have been written around 1680, though its exact date and occasion are unknown.

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First wife and infant son died of plague
1683

Pachelbel married Barbara Gabler in 1681; she and their only child died during a plague outbreak in Erfurt in 1683.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Judith Drommer
24 August 1684

In August 1684 Pachelbel married Judith Drommer, with whom he had seven children, including the composers Wilhelm Hieronymus and Charles Theodore Pachelbel.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed organist of St Sebaldus Church, Nuremberg
1695

After posts in Stuttgart and Gotha, Pachelbel returned to his native Nuremberg in 1695 as organist of the Sebalduskirche, the city's most prestigious musical position.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Died in Nuremberg
c. 1706

Pachelbel died in Nuremberg in early March 1706, aged 52, and was buried on 9 March 1706.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓