Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 01 | 20081124 | Donald Macleod examines how history has treated Pachelbel, given that there is only a handful of documents from which to re-construct his life story. In his music, Donald considers how in the 17 century, Pachelbel's position in the central region of Germany allowed him to blend the intellectual style of the north with the lyrical mode of the south. Canon and Gigue London Baroque Harmonia Mundi, HMA 19951539 - Tr 10 Jauchzet Gott alle Lande Cantus Colln Konrad Junghanel (conductor) Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 05472773052 - Tr 16 Musicalische Ergotzung (Partie No 6) Les Cyclopes Pierre Verany, PV794111 - Trs 1-6 Aria tertia (Hexachordum Apollinis) Antoine Bouchard (organ) Dorian, DOR93180 - Tr 2 (Complete Organ Works Vol 3) Jauchzet dem Herrn La Capella Ducale Musica Fiata Roland Wilson (director) Ricercar RIC255 - Tr 8. Donald Macleod considers how history has treated Pachelbel. | ||
| 2008 | 02 | 20081125 | Donald Macleod follows Pachelbel's swift progression to the city of Vienna, where Italian music was all the rage at the imperial court - and thence to his first professional appointments in provincial central Germany, where he was constantly striving for greater recognition. Musicalische Ergotzung (Partie No 4) Musica Antiqua Koln Reinhard Goebel (director) Archiv 4271182 Trs 16-19 Ciaccona in F Joseph Payne (organ) Centaur CRC 2304 - Tr 9 Magnificat Johann Rosenmuller Ensemble Arno Paduch (director) Christophorus CHR77257 - Tr 15 Choral Preludes: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr; Wir glauben all' an einen Gott Antoine Bouchard (organ) Dorian DOR93188 - Trs 9, 10 (Complete Organ Works Vol 5) Pachelbel: Ach Herr, wie ist meiner Feinde so viel Klaus Mertens (Bass) London Baroque Cavalli, CCD323 - Tr 8. Donald Macleod follows Pachelbel's first steps in what would become an illustrious career. | ||
| 2008 | 03 | 20081126 | Donald Macleod examines the composer's relationship with the Bach family, which led to his becoming godfather to Johann Sebastian's sister, and a shared tragedy when disaster visits the town of Erfurt. Wie nichtig, ach wie fluchtig Jan Kobow (tenor) London Baroque Cavalli CCD332 - Tr 7 Partita: Christus, der ist mein Leben Werner Jacob (organ) Virgin Classics VC7910872 - Tr 13 Der Herr is Konig Cantus Colln Konrad Junghanel (conductor) Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 05472773052 - Tr 12 Aria con variazioni Musical Antiqua Koln Reinhard Goebel (director) Archiv 4271182 - Tr 20 Christ lag in Todesbanden Claire Lefilliatre, Aurore Bucher (soprano) Hans Jorg Mammel, Philippe Froeliger (tenor) Philippe Favette (bass) David Van Bouwel (organ) Chamber Choir of Namur Les Agremens Jean Tubery (director) Ricercar RIC255 - Trs 6, 7. Donal Macleod on Pachelbel's finding friendship, love and tragedy in the town of Erfurt. | ||
| 2008 | 04 | 20081127 | Donald Macleod charts how, after a period of stability in Erfurt, and with a growing family to support, Pachelbel strove to improve his circumstances. The composer travelled to Stuttgart and Gotha in search of the perfect position, before a dream job suddenly became available in his hometown of Nuremburg. Fugue and Ricercar in C Joseph Payne (organ) Centaur CRC2304 (complete works, vol. 1) - Trs 2, 3 Musicalische Ergotzung, Partie I London Baroque Harmonia Mundi HMA 1951539 - Tr 2 Suite No 29 in E minor Anthony Payne (harpsichord) BIS CD809 - Trs 38-42 Halleluja! Lobet den Herrn La Capella Ducale Musica Fiata Roland Wilson (conductor) CPO 9999162 - Tr 3 Aria Sebaldina (Hexachordum Apollinis) Werner Jacob (organ) Virgin Classics VC7910872 - Tr 16. Donald Macleod charts Pachelbel's search for work to support his growing family. | ||
| 2008 | 05 LAST | 20081128 | Donald Macleod looks at the achievements of Pachelbel's final years, as the most important musician in the city of Nuremberg and the whole of central Germany. Some of Pachelbel's finest music was written during this period, which is only today being rescued from obscurity. Fugue on the Magnificat primi toni No 20 Antoine Bouchard (organ) Dorian DOR93206 - Tr 22 (Complete Organ Works, Vol 9) Fugue on the Magnificat sexti toni No 5 Joseph Payne (organ) Centaur CRC2304 - Tr 15 Cantus Colln Konrad Junghanel (conductor) Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 05472773052 - Tr 7 Fugue on the Magnificat sexti toni No 6 Centaur CRC2304 - Tr 16 Pachelbel: Das Gewitter im Aprilen Jan Kobow (tenor) London Baroque Cavalli CCD332 - Tr 14 Pachelbel: Fantasia and Toccata Gustav Leonhardt (harpsichord) Alpha ALPHA042 - Trs 8, 10 Musicalische Ergotzung (Partie No 3) Les Cyclopes Pierre Verany PV794111 - Trs 7-12 Magnificat in C La Capella Ducale Musica Fiata Roland Wilson (director) CPO 9999162 - Tr 6. Donald Macloed uncovers Pachelbel's late masterpieces, largely forgotten since his death. | ||
| 2018 | 01 | Beyond The Canon | 20180409 | 20200914 (R3) | Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the 'Canon in D'. Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of own our age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world, exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements. Donald begins the week with music that clearly shows why Pachelbel was so venerated by JS Bach and his peers - with joyful, singing vocal lines and highly-crafted harmonies. Canon & Gigue in D Gli incogniti Singet dem Herrn Cantus C怀lln Konrad Jungh䀀nel, conductor Gott ist unser Zuversicht Suite in G Major Hexachordum Apollinis: Aria Prima in E Minor (Dorian) Wolfgang Rübsam (lute harpsichord) Cantata: Christ lag in Todesbanden Claire Lefilli tre, soprano Hans J怀rg Mammel, tenor David van Bouwel, organ Namur Chamber Choir Les Agr退mens Jean Tub退ry, conductor Pachelbel, arr Isao Tomita - Canon in D Isao Tomita, synthesiser. Unravelling the rich legacy of a composer best known for one work, the Canon in D. |
| 2018 | 02 | The Meister Of Erfurt | 20180410 | 20200915 (R3) | Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the 'Canon in D'. Today - the composer's colourful life in Erfurt. Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world; exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements. In today's episode we track the young Pachelbel to Erfurt, where Martin Luther once studied. Alongside a brilliant setting of the Magnificat, Donald tells the curious story of how a 20th-century Frenchman with a knack for marketing turned the Canon into the popular hit we know today... Exsurgat Deus Cantus C怀lln Konrad Jungh䀀nel, conductor Musikalische Erg怀tzung in F Major London Baroque Charles Medlam, director Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne in D Minor Werner Jacob, organ Suite for lute solo (1st mvt - Allemande) Ulrich Wedemeier, lute Magnificat anima mea Johann Rosenmüller Ensemble Arno Paduch, conductor Pachelbel, arr Jean-Francois Paillard Jean-Francois Paillard Chamber Orchestra. Donald Macleod explores Johann Pachelbel's colourful life in Erfurt. |
| 2018 | 03 | All Together Now | 20180411 | 20200916 (R3) | Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the 'Canon in D'. Today - the story of a period of deep grief for the composer...and Pachelbel's curious link to both dance music and hip-hop.. Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world - exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works, and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements. In today's episode Donald Macleod explores how the composer expressed in music his deep grief at the loss of his first wife and infant son in his unique collection 'Musical Thoughts On Death'. Plus, as he continues his journey through the diverse arrangements of the famous Canon - there's a curious connection to the world of 1990s 'Madchester' dance music, and American West Coast hip-hop... Hooton / Grimes (after Pachelbel): Altogether Now The Farm Jauchzet Gott, alle Lande Cantus C怀lln Konrad Jungh䀀nel, conductor Alle Menschen mussen sterben (Musicalische Sterbens-Gedancken) Anton Batagov, piano Wie nichtig? Ach, wie fluchtig! Hans-J怀rg Mammel, tenor Gli incogniti Von Himmel Hoch I; Meine Seele erhebet den Herren; Wie sch怀n leuchtet der Morgenstern Werner Jacob, organ Suite a 4 in F Sharp Minor London Baroque Charles Medlam, director Pachelbel / Ivey Jr / Aldridge / Straughter / Straughter: C U When U Get There Coolio, featuring 40 Thevz Donald Macleod explores how Johann Pachelbel expressed his deep grief in music. |
| 2018 | 04 | The Prodigal Son | 20180412 | 20200917 (R3) | Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the 'Canon in D'. Today - after a peripatetic life in Stuttgart and Gotha, Pachelbel finally comes home to Nuremberg. Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world; exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements. A selection of brilliant secular songs take us to Nuremberg - and Pachelbel's dream job, back home at the console of the organ at St Sebaldus's Church. Das Gewitter im Aprilen Hans-J怀rg Mammel, tenor Gli incogniti Amandine Beyer, director / violin Musikalische Erg怀tzung in B Major London Baroque Charles Medlam, director O grosses Musienlicht Keyboard Suite no.29 in E Minor Joseph Payne, harpsichord Gute Walther unser Raths George Rochberg Variations on Pachelbel's Canon (String Quartet no.6, 3rd mvt) Concord String Quartet Chaconne in F Minor Barbara Harbach, organ Mein Leben, dessen Creuz für mich Donald Macleod follows Johann Pachelbel home to Nuremberg, where his dream job awaits. |
| 2018 | 05 LAST | Magnificat | 20180413 | 20200918 (R3) | Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the 'Canon in D'. Ending the week, a brilliant Magnificat setting, and a final, unique take on the Canon from a Japanese jazz iconoclast. Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was one of the most exceptional musical minds of his generation - a composer of brilliant choral and keyboard music and a huge influence on JS Bach. Yet more than three centuries on, his reputation rests almost exclusively on one piece - his 'Canon in D', one of the most famous pieces of classical music of our own age. This week, Donald Macleod delves deep into his world; exploring a raft of brilliant vocal and instrumental works and putting to bed the myth of the 'one-hit wonder'. We also look more closely at the iconic Canon - in a variety of fascinating, sometimes surprising arrangements. As he completes his journey through the life and work of this neglected genius of the early Baroque, Donald Macleod wonders why his music - the Canon aside - faded, and introduces a Magnificat setting that demonstrates how foolish posterity has been. We end with a final, brilliant take on the Canon in D by Japanese jazz iconoclast Hiromi. Lobet den Herrn (Psalm 150) Johann Rosenmüller Ensemble Arno Paduch, conductor Aria Sebaldina in F Minor (Hexachordum Apollinis) Werner Jacob, organ Magnificat in C Major [originally E Flat Major], P250 The King's Singers Charivari Agr退able Kah-Ming Ng, director Hiromi, after Pachelbel Pachelbel's Canon Hiromi, piano. Donald Macleod asks why the music of baroque genius Johann Pachelbel has been so neglected |