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Music review: Pachelbel for Brass (Canon in D)

Johann Pachelbel arr. William Himes
Available for brass band and brass choir


BrookWright Music was formed in June 2020 by Andrew Wainwright, the talented composer, arranger and graphic designer and has quickly built up an impressive catalogue of over 150 items, ranging from solos and duets to small ensemble music right through to full brass band works. 

It also has around 25 household names in its composer stable, and a number of high-profile ‘Artists in Association’ who are recording its solo series. 

Perfect tonic

Meanwhile, lockdown has done strange things to me: I’ve found myself 24 episodes into ‘Married at First Sight – Australia’ and now welcoming anything that brings some dignity to back to ceremonial occasions! 

With this in mind the perfect tonic may well be here in the shape of William Himes highly effective arrangement for brass band of Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D’. 

Williams Himes demonstrates how to take familiar material and make it work for brass band. 

It’s perhaps the most requested of all music for weddings, but to my mind, this arrangement covers all bases – from functionality (and by no means in a negative sense) for just about any occasion; artistically (its arranged with the stamp of true craftsmanship and understanding) and as an exercise in ensemble cohesiveness (there’s so much in here to help improve a band – from section interplay to individual balancing of voices)

Williams Himes demonstrates how to take familiar material and make it work for brass band. 

Essentials

The essentials are covered without full brass band orchestration: There’s no repiano part and two horn parts are written rather than three. Just the one baritone part is scored while the flugel, soprano and 2nd euphonium parts are optional. 

The scoring means you could play it with around half a full-size band and the arranger adds an optional cut. 

Tasteful percussion has been added, providing extra colour and emphasis to the ends of phrases and helps juice up the grandioso ending. 

Himes has also set the arrangement for brass choir, which will be useful for groups that use French horns and with low brass players who prefer to read bass clef.

Tasteful percussion has been added, providing extra colour and emphasis to the ends of phrases and helps juice up the grandioso ending. 

Our music pads will be richer for having this arrangement in it!

All items are available for instant PDF download from the publisher, although for those preferring the printed music this is available from its distributor, Solid Brass Music Company at http://www.solidbrassmusic.com

John Ward


To purchase: https://www.brookwrightmusic.com/product-page/pachelbel-for-brass-choir-canon-in-d-pachelbel-arr-william-himes

To view a follow-the-score video please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCjVw-5tbVE&t=43s

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