PACHELBEL, JOHANN

Pachelbel, Johann: translation

(baptized 1 September 1653, Nuremberg, Germany – buried 9 March 1706, Nuremberg)

He served asorganistat the Pridigerkirche at Erfurt from 19 June 1678 to 15 August 1690. After two short-term positions in Würtemberg and Gotha, he was invited by his home city authorities in 1695 to be organist of St. Sebaldus at Nuremberg without the customary examination. He remained there until his death.

His compositions include 66choralesettings of various types, includingchorale fuguesandcantus firmussettings, 11motets, all but one forcori spezzati, 11sacred concertos, 13Magnificatsand other versicles forvespers, twomasses, and 98 "Magnificat" fugues written for St. Sebaldus church. These fugues, constituting one of the most ambitious compilations beforeJohann Sebastian Bach, are so called not because they take the Magnificat tones assubjects, but because they give the choir the pitch for singing that vesperscanticle.