Here’s an arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon in D that I’ve been using with my elementary age students over the last couple years. Violin, viola and cello parts all get the theme, so it’s an “All-Inclusive” arrangement. My version is simplified to make it playable for everyone. The students clamor for the Canon in D, and learning and rehearsing it builds so many musical skills. Even my seventh and eighth graders who hate everything love to play it!
When Pachelbel wrote his beautiful Canon in D in 1680, he discriminated viciously against the cellists and violists in his local orchestra, scoring his masterpiece for 3 violins and basso continuo.
My All-Inclusive Theme from Canon in D reverses centuries of injustice, offering cellists and violists the world over the opportunity to join the violins as partners, getting their shot at Pachelbel’s timeless melody.
I simplified and abridged the theme for beginning string players. Extended positions and shifting are almost entirely eliminated and meter is adjusted to simplify notation.
This a flexible arrangement, playable in a wide variety of formats: a single solo instrument with chording accompaniment, a duo in two-part canon, or a larger string ensemble in a multi-part canon.
I’ve written continuo parts for every instrument — violin, viola, cello and bass. The burden of the infamously repetitive 8-bar basso continuo part is now available for everyone to shoulder.
I recorded an example of the arrangement (mp3,) featuring two cellos in canon.
Downloads:
Full Flexible Arrangement for String Ensemble (with cello demo Mp3)
Arrangement for violins (with cello demo Mp3)
Arrangement for violas (with cello demo Mp3)
Arrangement for cellos (with cello demo Mp3)
Rock The Cello 